Bentley Begins Electric Era with Torcal

British luxury carmaker Bentley has officially announced its first fully electric vehicle (EV), marking a major milestone in the brand’s history. The Volkswagen-owned automaker has released a teaser image of the new model, named Torcal, ahead of its global debut, which is scheduled for September 23 at a special launch event in London.

In a statement, Bentley Chief Executive Officer Frank-Steffen Walliser said, "Our new Torcal will set an extraordinary benchmark in every important respect. It will be one of the most carefully conceived and meticulously crafted vehicles in Bentley’s long history."

Like the Bentayga, Bacalar, and Batur models currently in Bentley’s lineup, the new vehicle takes its name from a natural landmark. Torcal is named after El Torcal de Antequera, a renowned rocky landscape in Spain, while also echoing the Latin word torque, which refers to rotational force in automotive engineering. Bentley first announced plans to introduce an all-electric SUV in 2021.

Earlier this year, the vehicle was first spotted during extreme cold-weather testing in the Arctic Circle. Spy photographs revealed a fastback-style body design that appears to draw inspiration from last year’s EXP 15 concept. The prototype was later seen undergoing high-speed testing at Germany’s famous Nürburgring circuit, although it remained heavily camouflaged to conceal its final design.

Interior images captured during testing showed a cabin finished in red leather and black Alcantara upholstery, featuring a large curved display alongside traditional mechanical control buttons.

Bentley said in its statement, "More information and updates about the Bentley Torcal will be revealed in the weeks leading up to its official unveiling on September 23. While conceptually all-new, the Torcal will embody Bentley’s heritage in every detail. It will carry forward the tradition of exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding performance that the brand has defined since 1919."

//DBTech/BMT/OR//