Bentley Torcal Will Bring V-8 Sound in New WayBentleyBentley's first pure-electric model, the Torcal, isn't slated for its official debut until September, but that hasn't stopped the automaker from dropping hints about the ultra-luxurious crossover SUV. While we don't know exactly what Bentley has planned for the electric SUV's powertrain configuration, we are starting to get an idea of how it sounds. This isn't your typical whirring EV, but rather a machine aimed at crafting a new "sonic identity" rooted in a history of potent V-8 engines. Or so the automaker claims.According to Bentley, the company's engineers wanted to bring a little familiarity to the Torcal by way of its simulated exhaust sound. And while we all love W-12-powered Big Bs, there's no engine more closely associated with the automaker than an eight-cylinder. Whether it be the traditional 6 3⁄4-liter or one of the more recent twin-turbocharged units, that grumble is a part of the Bentley brand's lasting identity. Of course, it would be a bit uncouth for the brand to simply play clips of those engines via the speakers. Instead, Bentley enlisted the help of world-renowned musicians to develop the new Bentley Dynamic Symphony.Upon researching what made the sound of V-8s so appealing, the automaker claims it found that rhythm is a more important element than mechanical tones. It managed to do this by using two massive parabolic speakers and moving between the two. Furthermore, the team discovered that the slight imperfections found in the firing order of combustion engines also seemed to mimic the natural flow of a human drummer, which drove the idea further. By mimicking rhythms rather than tones, Bentley believes Torcal's new not-an-exhaust setup will perfectly capture the same emotional appeal as a traditional engine without having to resort to synthesized combustion tones.AdvertisementAdvertisementI am open to giving this new system a shot. Enthusiasts are often rather critical of specific details like the lack of a true exhaust note, which is indeed a notable part of the experience. Mopar's Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust attempted to solve this by blasting V-8-esque tones through its external speakers, only to have enthusiasts left to giggle at the end results. While we still have a few weeks before we'll get to really hear what the Bentley Dynamic Symphony is all about, I'm willing to bet it's unlike anything on the market at the moment, for better or for worse.You Might Also LikeIf You Can Only Own One Car, Make It One of TheseThese Are the Most Popular Cars by State
