Bentley Torcal 2027: British marque’s first-ever electric car takes fight to Rolls-Royce Cullinan

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News from the world of ultra-luxury: British carmaker Bentley has unveiled its first electric car, the Torcal.

A large SUV spun off the electric Porsche Cayenne – both Bentley and Porsche belong to Volkswagen, as does Audi – it’s the most-powerful Bentley ever. The Torcal S First Edition produces 653kW and 1350Nm, enough to fire 2795kg of leather, mahogany and privilege from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds.

A regular ‘non-S’ version brings a slightly more humble 603kW and 1194Nm, offering 3.4sec 0-100km/h potential.  

It’s likely to be Bentley’s new entry model – relatively speaking, of course. Shorter in both length (5008mm vs 1525mm) and height (1677mm vs 1728mm) than Bentley’s existing petrol/hybrid SUV, the Bentayga, the Torcal could undercut it too.

British prices reportedly start at £173,300, or about AU$327,000. With the Bentayga starting in Australia at $412,600 before on-roads, and British car prices consistently exceeding Australia’s in recent years, the Torcal could potentially expand Bentley’s audience and customer base. 

Its Porsche donor car starts at $167,700 before on-roads, though.

The powertrain is mostly copy-pasted from the Porsche, which is no bad thing. Using an 800V electrical system, a 113kWh lithium-ion battery powers a motor at each axle, with the rear motor featuring a locking differential.

Up to 600km of range (WLTP) is claimed, as is 400kW DC charging. The latter theoretically enables 10 to 80 percent charging in 20 minutes.

“Fully active” suspension that independently raises and lowers each damper on the fly negates the need for anti-roll bars. The tech is very likely to be Porsche’s acclaimed Active Ride suspension, available in the Cayenne.

Bentley prides itself on better driving engagement than other land-yacht manufacturers. Comfort, Sport and ‘Bentley’ modes (the latter a Goldilocks setting) adjust the driving characteristics. Artificial noise, recorded with actual instruments, mimics Bentley’s historic 6.75L V8. 

Carbon-silicon-carbide brakes are optional, and share with the Audi RS5 the title of world’s largest production-car brakes, with a diameter of 440mm.

The boot swallows 460L, with a froot (front boot) fitting 90L. Between them is the usual Bentley opulence inside. Some 15 colour choices of leather or Dinamica (an ultrasuede-like material) are offered, plus five colours of merino wool and 14 veneer options.

Above one’s head is an electrochromic glass roof passed down (up?) from recent Audis. In front of one’s head is the unusual indicator/wipers/gearshift arrangement from the Audi Q3, while a curved central multimedia display strikingly resembles the one in – you guessed it – the Porsche Cayenne.

The Torcal’s Australian arrival timeframe and pricing is yet to be announced.