Bentley has introduced its first fully electric vehicle, the Torcal SUV, aiming to attract affluent buyers who prefer eco-friendly options without compromising on the brand’s signature luxury style that has defined it for over a hundred years.
The release follows a recent electric vehicle from Ferrari that faced some backlash for straying too far from the typical sleek, gas-powered design fans expect from the Italian marque.
In contrast, Bentley’s new EV clearly belongs to the brand. It incorporates familiar design elements from the company’s traditional combustion models, including diamond-shaped headlights reminiscent of a classic front grille—something that’s quite clever since electric vehicles don’t actually need it for cooling.
The vehicle aims to simulate the experience of a V8 engine through a unique sound profile created using orchestrated timpani, or kettledrums, which increase in tempo with acceleration.
A ‘more affordable Bentley’
“We’ve always wanted to create a Bentley first,” Bentley’s CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser shared, emphasizing that people aren’t necessarily looking for a wildly different car just because it’s electric.
Currently, aside from Ferrari, Rolls-Royce—also part of BMW—is the other major luxury carmaker offering an electric option.
Lamborghini, which is part of the same group as Bentley, has postponed its first EV until the end of the decade, while McLaren recently stated it has no immediate plans for an electric vehicle, both attributing their decisions to limited market demand.
Bentley had previously pushed back the launch of its initial EV to 2026 and scrapped its goal of achieving full electrification by 2030, citing that customers were not ready for such a shift.
Unlike Ferrari’s electric Luce, priced at €550,000 ($628,000), the Torcal is more accessible, starting at £173,000 ($230,000).
According to Walliser, this model represents a “more affordable Bentley” that opens doors to new customers.
Bentley has been actively displaying the Torcal to both current and potential buyers, noting considerable interest from regions like Europe, the Middle East, and various U.S. states with high EV uptake. A promotional effort in China is set to commence next year.
Walliser mentioned that about half of the interest in the Torcal comes from existing clients looking to upgrade their vehicles, while the other half consists of first-time buyers.
Bentley has invested approximately £350 million ($465 million) in its facility in Crewe, northwest England, for the production of the Torcal.
This announcement follows significant investments from other automotive players, including McLaren’s £500-million investment in Britain and Nissan’s £170 million commitment to manufacturing a new model there.
British business minister Jonathan Reynolds remarked that Bentley’s investment demonstrates that the country is fostering an environment conducive to substantial growth.
($1 = 0.8764 euros)
