An EV that sounds like a 6.75 L V8: A ride in the Bentley Torcal
The electric Torcal will be Bentley's entry model and cost less than a Bentayga.
Monterey, California—Bentley will unveil its inaugural battery-electric vehicle (EV) next month. Although the British automaker already offers plug-in hybrids, the Torcal marks a departure from traditional combustion engines. Fed from Washington, DC, to Monterey via flights and lodgings, Ars Technica experienced a test drive in the electric Torcal, along with other undisclosed perks.
The sleek, plastic-bodied, and brightly camouflaged vehicle stands shorter in length and height than its Bentayga counterpart but offers the same spacious interior due to efficient EV packaging. Its design draws inspiration from the Porsche Cayenne EV, with the two sharing substantial engineering components, albeit customized for Bentley's specifications.
Targeting the sports SUV market, the Torcal boasts an EPA range of 300 miles (482 km) or 600 km (373 miles) under WLTP, along with a 400 kW DC fast-charging capability. Expect a robust torque output of over a thousand newton-meters (737 lb-ft) and power exceeding 850 PS (838 hp/625 kW), although the focus isn't on achieving four-figure figures.
Martin Page, product line director for the Torcal, expressed enthusiasm about the vehicle's torque capabilities, stating that it serves as one of the enabling pillars of the technology.
Written by urgent.news from Ars Technica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
