Bentley Torcal: The British Manufacturer Disrupts Its Legacy with a 850 HP Electric SUV

Sunday 06 September 2026 - 09:05

Bentley takes a significant step forward with the Torcal, its first fully electric model. Weighing nearly 2.7 tons, this new luxury SUV boasts over 850 horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds, and offers a range of up to 600 kilometers. This impressive feat marks a break from the V8 and W12 engines that the Crewe-based brand has long been associated with.

An Electric Shift That Doesn't Renounce Excess

The change is striking. Bentley, a British manufacturer known for its powerful engines and unapologetically luxurious models, enters the all-electric era with the Torcal.

The newcomer measures close to five meters, while positioning itself below the Bentayga in the lineup. It is built on the Volkswagen Group's PPE platform, already used notably by the Porsche Cayenne Electric.

However, the technical specifications are anything but understated. The Torcal features two electric motors that drive all four wheels. The total output exceeds 850 hp and surpasses 1,000 Nm of torque. With these figures, the SUV becomes the most powerful production Bentley ever made.

It outpaces the current hybrid Continental GT Speed, which has a power output of 771 hp.

Acceleration Fit for a Supercar

Weight does not seem to have hindered Bentley's focus on performance. The Torcal is said to be capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds.

This is particularly impressive for a luxury SUV weighing around 2.7 tons. The electric powertrain allows for instant delivery of massive torque, turning this hefty vehicle into a genuine projectile at launch.

To power this setup, Bentley announces a 113 kWh battery. Its range would reach approximately 600 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle, while charging could rise up to 400 kW under optimal conditions.

The manufacturer is not simply looking to electrify an existing model: it aims to demonstrate that an electric Bentley can remain extremely high-performing.

Silence as a New Challenge

A much more delicate question remains for the brand: what happens to Bentley's identity when the roar of a V8 or W12 disappears?

For a manufacturer whose automotive experience also relies on the sensations and sounds of its engines, the shift to electric represents a true cultural change. Bentley is attempting to compensate for this absence with a range of technological and acoustic innovations.

The Torcal particularly relies on air suspension, four-wheel steering, and a high level of comfort to maintain that elevated limousine feel that characterizes the brand's models.

A specific sound signature, dubbed Bentley Dynamic Symphony, is also expected to give more personality to the accelerations. This is a way to artificially recreate some of the sensations once produced by combustion engines.

Following Ferrari, Bentley Embraces the Break

The arrival of the Torcal primarily illustrates a broader evolution in the luxury automotive market. Manufacturers most attached to combustion engines can no longer ignore electrification, even when it challenges some of the codes that have built their reputation.

Bentley therefore chooses a unique strategy: not to oppose electric and grand touring, but to attempt to transpose its universe to a new technology.

With over 850 hp, an announced range of 600 kilometers, and top-tier performance, the Torcal aims to prove that a Bentley can abandon its large engines without sacrificing excess.