Electric cars are great, but automakers have a long history of trying to force electrification where it doesn’t quite fit. Pickup trucks, sure, but also the very top of the market. A few years ago, Mercedes-Benz released an electric G-Class, and it didn’t go over so well. With 239 miles of range,
Under the skin of the Torcal, you’ll find a 113 kWh battery pack feeding dual electric motors, one on each axle. Total output stands at 876 horsepower on the S trim and 810 horsepower on standard models which, if you’ve been keeping track, is less than what an electric Porsche Cayenne Turbo makes. Still, 876 horsepower is plenty, and Bentley claims that the Torcal S will run from zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. That’ll decant the sparkling water in the cup holder, alright. Range stands at 375 miles on the WLTP cycle, so expect a figure north of 300 miles on the EPA cycle. Does the Torcal need any more range than that? Likely not, as this sort of clientele prefers to fly for trips longer than 300 miles. Thus, 400 kW DC fast charging capability seems a little niche, but appreciated nonetheless.
Horsepower’s all well and good, but it needs handling hardware to be properly harnessed. With that in mind, let’s start with the Torcal’s absolutely enormous brakes. The standard iron discs measure out to 16.5 inches in diameter up front and 14.56 inches out back, but optional carbon ceramics bump those figures up to 17.2 inches up front and 16.1 inches out back. Of equal importance, the suspension on the Torcal is fully active, with dampers themselves that can be raised or lowered independently. This eliminates the need for anti-roll bars, which should offer superior cross-axle articulation over the bumpy stuff. Four-wheel steering’s also on deck, which promises to shrink the turning radius at low speeds and aid high-speed stability. In short, Bentley has thrown the kitchen sink at this thing, and that’s before we get to the sheer opulence aboard.
As you’d expect, the cabin of the Torcal is lined roof-to-floor in simply lovely materials. Hides, veneers, metals, even merino wool. However, that’s to be expected of any Bentley. What’s less expected is what splits the winged dashboard. It’s a big curved OLED infotainment screen a bit like the one in a Porsche Cayenne, and given the sheer size of the thing, it’s difficult to ignore. Still, at least it comes with Bentley-specific knurled physical controls, and there’s an optional extra you’ll want to pop for: the 1,780 watt, 28-speaker Naim 7.1-channel surround sound system with Dolby Atmos compatibility.
Judging by previous Naim for Bentley systems, this one should continue the tradition of being absolutely spectacular. The system in the Flying Spur is one of the best factory-fit stereos in the history of the world, and with an even quieter powertrain, the Torcal’s top audio setup has a lot to live up to.
Speaking of tech, kudos to Bentley for being one of the few automakers to figure out a tasteful application of ambient lighting. Instead of blasting RGB-colored light directly into your eyeballs, it gently casts waves of soft light on the lower door cards. Indirect lighting, that’s the move. Oh, and the doors are power-operated, with sensors preventing them from slamming into anything and real handles preventing them from being fussy.
Perhaps more importantly, the Torcal looks good. It’s assertive in a way that the slightly rotund Bentayga doesn’t quite match, but despite grafting the surfacing of a Continental GT onto a much larger form, it’s not overly aggressive. The only real point of contention is the illuminated faux-grille, which is just a little bit premier league. Still, this is a generally handsome thing, which is part of the reason the Torcal might be okay.
It’s no secret that the tides have turned in the ultra-premium EV segment. Rimac allocations go unsold, Rolls-Royce Spectres and Cadillac Celestiqs have depreciated significantly, and the going narrative is that electric power just doesn’t appeal at this price bracket. However, the Torcal is the shape the ultrawealthy want from a daily driver, it’s made of lovely stuff, and it likely won’t be otherworldly on price. Expensive, sure, but not half-a-million plus. More like half that. It also has more range than an electric G-Class, and once you add that to the mix, Bentley might have a winner on its hands. Deliveries should start next year, so we’ll know soon enough.
Top graphic image: Bentley
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