Bentley unveils its first fully electric car after Ksh59.89B investment

Bentley has revealed its first fully electric car, the Torcal SUV, after investing a staggering Ksh 59.89 billion (£350m) to revamp its factory in Cheshire. Located in Crewe, the site has been the luxury carmaker's headquarters since 1946. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds revealed that this massive investment would support 4,000 high-value jobs locally.

The Torcal SUV will be manufactured on a brand-new production line established within one of the Crewe site's original factory buildings from 1938. This building previously served as Bentley's machining shop and research and development workshop before being repurposed for the new electric vehicle production.

The department responsible for Business, Innovation, Science, and Trade highlighted that the Torcal would bolster automotive supply chains, as Bentley sources materials from over 700 businesses, including 82 within a 50-mile radius of its base.

With the UK motor industry facing significant challenges, Bentley's announcement comes amid JLR's recent job cuts and other manufacturers seeking new growth avenues. Despite the industry-wide shift towards electric vehicles, some have called for a more measured transition.

Bentley's Torcal boasts an impressive 113kWh battery, providing a range of up to 375 miles (600km) and the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes using a 400kW charger. The Torcal S variant will be the brand's most powerful model to date, capable of reaching a top speed of 162mph and accelerating from 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds. The standard Torcal model can achieve a top speed of 155mph and reach 60mph in 3.3 seconds.

Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, Bentley's chairman and CEO, touted the Torcal as "one of the best Bentleys ever" and emphasized its design philosophy, stating that it blends luxury with electric technology. Walliser added that the vehicle was crafted by skilled artisans using the finest materials and cutting-edge innovation.

In a seven-day span, Bentley's investment has been hailed as "the third win" for Britain's automotive industry, following £500m announced by McLaren and Ksh29.09 billion (£170m) from Nissan. The government has pledged £7.5bn to support the transition to electric vehicles, with plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.