Bentley launches Torcal, its first full EV

Bentley has introduced the Torcal, its first fully electric vehicle, marking a significant step for the brand in the high-end electric market. The Torcal is a luxury SUV that combines traditional Bentley craftsmanship with an all-electric drivetrain and new interior materials. It is being positioned as a core product rather than a niche experiment, reflecting a strategic move into battery-powered models.

In the UK, the Torcal will start at £173,000, which makes it the cheapest model in Bentley’s current range. Despite its status as the entry-price model, the vehicle is presented as a fully fledged luxury SUV, rather than a stripped-down product. Bentley expects the pricing and positioning to broaden its customer base.

The Torcal is aimed at attracting younger consumers and includes a focus on buyers who may be purchasing a Bentley for the first time. Bentley expects that many Torcal customers will be new to the brand, drawn by the combination of electric power, SUV practicality and luxury positioning. This launch is intended to extend Bentley’s appeal beyond its traditional clientele.

To support Torcal production, Bentley has invested £350 million in its plant at Crewe. This investment underlines the company’s commitment to integrating electric-vehicle manufacturing into its existing operations, rather than treating it as a separate line. The Crewe facility is central to Bentley’s plan to deliver the Torcal at scale.

The Torcal maintains Bentley’s emphasis on luxury craftsmanship, while also introducing new materials aligned with an electric flagship. The interior features Merino-wool trim, highlighting a focus on high-end, tactile finishes within the cabin. This approach aims to differentiate the Torcal from more mainstream electric SUVs through both look and feel.

The vehicle’s design aligns with its premium positioning as a luxury SUV. While detailed styling descriptions vary across reports, coverage consistently identifies the Torcal as a high-end, comfort-oriented model. Bentley intends the cabin and materials to reinforce its luxury identity even as it adopts a new powertrain technology.

Technically, the Torcal uses two permanent-magnet synchronous motors, delivering all-wheel-drive capability. The SUV is built on an 800-volt electrical architecture paired with a 113 kWh net battery. Bentley states that the Torcal achieves a WLTP-rated range of up to about 375 miles, placing it among longer-range luxury EVs.

Peak DC charging capability is rated at up to 400 kW. Bentley press material cited in coverage indicates that charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes just under 20 minutes under suitable conditions. These specifications are central to positioning the Torcal as competitive in both performance and usability within the premium EV space.

Bentley is introducing the Torcal in two trims at launch: the Torcal and the Torcal S. While detailed performance differences are not fully aligned across reports, coverage agrees that both variants sit within the same dual-motor, high-performance architecture. The twin-trim strategy gives buyers a degree of choice within the model line from the outset.

The Torcal’s battery is covered by a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. This long-duration coverage is intended to provide reassurance over the durability of the new electric powertrain. The combination of warranty length, charging capability and range is central to the Torcal’s proposition as a usable, long-term luxury EV.