Bentley launches its first EV, and it could be its cheapest model
Bentley’s first fully electric car tests wealthy buyers’ appetite for luxury EVs, and it comes with a €408 million investment in its Crewe factory. The launch supports existing jobs at a time when several high-end rivals have delayed or dropped plans for electric models.
In a significant move for the British luxury carmaker Bentley, the company has unveiled its first fully electric model, the Torcal, marking a pivotal moment in the brand's history. This entry into the electric vehicle market comes after a challenging year for Bentley, with deliveries dropping by 13.6% compared to the previous year. The new electric model is part of Bentley's fourth model line and serves as a test for wealthy buyers' interest in purchasing a fully electric Bentley.
The stakes for Bentley are high as the company has invested £350 million (approximately €408 million) in its Crewe factory to support the production of the Torcal. UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds highlighted that this investment would maintain 4,000 jobs at the site. While electric car sales are increasing across the EU, luxury automakers are divided on how swiftly their affluent clientele will transition to electric vehicles.
Competitors such as Porsche, Lamborghini, and McLaren have shown varying degrees of commitment to electric models, with some delaying or dropping plans.
Bentley's strategy for the Torcal is to offer a familiar SUV design, positioned at the entry level of their range, aiming to attract younger buyers as well as existing customers. The starting price for the Torcal in the UK is reported to be £173,300 (about €202,000), making it potentially the most affordable Bentley model yet. This price point is lower than the starting prices of the company's other models: £181,365 (about €211,000) for the Bentayga, £207,120 (about €241,000) for the Flying Spur, and £239,320 (about €279,000) for the Continental GT.
The Torcal boasts an impressive electric range of up to 600 kilometers on a single charge, with the more powerful Torcal S model capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.9 seconds. To maintain a sense of tradition, Bentley has recreated an engine sound inspired by its classic V8 engines. The Torcal is presented as a template for future Bentleys, encompassing all aspects of design, technology, craftsmanship, materials, and sustainability, regardless of the powertrain.
This launch follows Bentley's recent decision to push back its initial plan to go fully electric by 2030, with the possibility of extending the target to 2035.
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