Bentley unveils its first fully electric car
Bentley has unveiled its first fully electric car after investing £350m to upgrade its factory in Cheshire.
British luxury carmaker Bentley has revealed its first fully electric vehicle, the Torcal SUV. The company invested £350m to construct a new production line at its Cheshire factory, the site's headquarters since 1946. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stated that this investment would support 4,000 high-value jobs in Crewe. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade highlighted that the Torcal would bolster automotive supply chains, as Bentley sources parts from over 700 businesses, including 82 within a 50-mile radius.
The announcement arrives amid challenges in the UK motor industry, with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) recently announcing job cuts and manufacturers exploring new growth avenues. Despite calls for a slower transition to electric vehicles, Bentley says the Torcal's 113kWh battery offers a range of up to 375 miles (600km) and can charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes using a 400kW charger. The Torcal S model will be the brand's most powerful, with a top speed of 162mph and a 0-60mph acceleration time of 2.8 seconds.
Bentley's chairman and chief executive, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, described the Torcal as "one of the best Bentleys ever," emphasizing its combination of luxury and electric technology. The car's interior features high-quality materials such as leather, wool, and aluminium. It will be produced on a new production line inside one of the original 1938 factory buildings at the Crewe site, which previously housed the company's machining and research workshops.
The investment is seen as a "third win" for Britain's automotive industry following £500m announced by McLaren and £170m from Nissan.
The UK government has pledged £7.5bn to support the transition to electric vehicles, aiming to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
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