Bentley reveals Torcal as its first EV with 2027 production timing

Bentley’s first EV takes shape in Crewe

Bentley has unveiled the Torcal as its first fully electric car and the brand’s fourth model line, with the SUV designed, engineered and built in Crewe. BBC News reported that Bentley invested £350 million to upgrade its Cheshire factory and build the Torcal on a new production line in a restored 1938 building at the company’s headquarters, which it has occupied since 1946. Euronews said the investment is about €408 million and that Bentley framed the launch as an important test of demand for luxury EVs after a softer first half of 2026, when it delivered 4,200 cars, down 13.6 per cent from a year earlier. ¹²⁴⁵

Power, range and charging

Bentley says both Torcal versions use a 113 kWh battery and dual permanent-magnet synchronous motors, one on each axle, with the pack operating at 800V and covered by a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. The standard Torcal produces 821 PS and 1,194 Nm, runs from 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and has a 155 mph top speed. The Torcal S lifts outputs to 888 PS and 1,350 Nm, cuts the 0-60 mph run to 2.8 seconds and reaches 162 mph. Bentley’s own launch material, as reported by BBC News, says the battery gives up to 375 miles (600 km) of WLTP range and can charge from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes on a 400 kW charger; Electrek separately reported the same charge window as 16 minutes and said about 100 miles of range can be added in seven minutes. ¹⁴⁵

Chassis, cabin and equipment

The Torcal also brings a set of Bentley firsts. Electrek reported it is the brand’s first car with fully active suspension, allowing each corner to rise or fall independently and removing the need for anti-roll bars, while all-wheel steering is standard and reduces the turning circle to 11.1 metres. CarExpert quoted Bentley executives saying human craftsmanship remains central to the manufacturing process, despite the use of newer automated systems, and said the car continues Bentley’s tradition of handmade production. The same coverage also said the Torcal uses 25 radars, sensors and cameras for driver assistance and remote parking, and offers four powered doors that open and close automatically, a switchable-glass sunroof and an optional 1,780W, 28-speaker Naim audio system. ³⁴⁵

Inside, Bentley introduced what it describes as the world’s first 100 per cent Merino wool automotive fabric, developed with Somerset weaver Fox Brothers and said by CarExpert to be certified to the Responsible Wool Standard. Electrek and Man of Many both reported the new Ombré Walnut veneer, made from walnut off-cuts and recycled paper, while Man of Many also identified Sunburst Aluminium trim. Electrek added curved OLED screens, facial recognition for driver profiles, an augmented reality head-up display and four experience modes, all of which were presented as part of the launch specification rather than later options. ³⁴⁵

Availability and pricing

Bentley said customers can begin specifying the Torcal immediately, with production scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2027. CarExpert said Australian timing remains unconfirmed, although it understands first deliveries are due before the end of 2027. On price, Man of Many reported UK starting figures of £165,000 for the standard Torcal and £200,000 for the Torcal S, while Euronews said the Torcal is reported to start at £173,300 in the UK and sits below Bentley’s Bentayga, Flying Spur and Continental GT in starting price. Those are separate UK list-price claims, not Australian drive-away figures, and they should be read as differently sourced launch pricing rather than a single unified figure. ²³⁵

Context from Bentley and the market

Bentley has positioned the Torcal as a significant step for the brand, but the sources stop short of showing a wholesale change across the range at launch. Euronews described it as a test of whether wealthy buyers will embrace a fully electric Bentley, while also noting that the company had pushed back its original 2030 target for going fully electric to 2035 and later said even that could move again. Bentley itself said the Torcal is intended to be a template for future Bentleys regardless of powertrain, which is a company statement about direction rather than a confirmed range-wide transition. ²⁴