Bentley unveils its first fully electric car
The SUVs will be built on a new production line in Crewe, which has been Bentley's base since 1946.
Bentley has revealed its inaugural fully electric vehicle, having invested £350 million to renovate its factory in Cheshire. The Torcal SUV will be manufactured on a brand-new production line at the location, which has served as the luxury automaker's headquarters since 1946. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced that the investment would bolster 4,000 high-skilled jobs in Crewe.
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade highlighted that the Torcal would fortify automotive supply chains, as Bentley relies on more than 700 suppliers, including 82 within a 50-mile radius of its base. The announcement arrives as the UK automotive sector confronts significant challenges, with Jaguar Land Rover recently reporting significant layoffs and manufacturers seeking new growth avenues.
Despite announcements of new electric models to future-proof the industry, there have been calls to temper the rapid transition to fully electric vehicles. Bentley claims the Torcal's 113kWh battery provides a range of up to 375 miles (600km), and it can charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes using a 400kW charger. The brand's flagship model will be the most potent ever, with a top speed of 162mph and the quickest acceleration from a standstill, reaching 60mph in just 2.8 seconds.
The standard Torcal can reach 155mph and take 3.3 seconds to achieve 60mph. Bentley's chairman and CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, characterized the Torcal as "one of the best Bentleys ever" and emphasized its design to harmonize luxury with electric technology. The Torcal is a Bentley's first and foremost, crafted by skilled artisans who value heritage and innovation.
The new production line is situated within one of the Crewe site's original factory buildings from 1938, which previously housed the company's machining shop and research and development workshop. It has been refurbished with a new floor to accommodate autonomous guided vehicles for car assembly. Jonathan Reynolds described Bentley's £350 million investment as "the third win in just seven days" for Britain's automotive industry, following £500 million announced by McLaren and £170 million from Nissan.
The government pledged £7.5 billion to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles, with plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
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