The rear of the Bentley TorcalBentleyIn a few short weeks we'll get our first real look at the Bentley Torcal, the first all-electric ultra-luxury car from Bentley.And with it, Bentley will quietly advance its place in the world of super-luxury cars.With the official release of the Torcal, named for the ancient rock formations of El Torcal, Andalusia, and fitting for the way torque shapes the Bentley experience, Bentley will build its most powerful car ever, generating 850 hp and 738 pound-feet of torque.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut as with any Bentley, power is only the start of the luxury experience, though its core to the Bentley ethos. A quiet but powerful drive experience is complemented by interiors that set the stage for a personalized experience, finished with details that clients will specify and craftsmanship that lends a hand-made appeal to a car clearly born in the digital age.Door panels show softer materials and a novel use of lighting in the Bentley TorcalTorcal Will Evolve Bentley's Design LanguageWhile details are still scant, there are a few clear ideas in the information that Bentley has released so far. First, we'll see more crystal—both hand-made crystal inside the car and replications of crystal on the multimedia system. We may see new crystal headlight details and tail lights, too, since these applications have been a Bentley signature since 2019.And the addition of hand-blown, faceted crystal is sublime; it amplifies the light that passes through it adding depth, color and a spiritual sense. The concept of crystal makes its way onto the multimedia system, too, using color-changing graphics to communicate the Torcal's cabin modes, which presumably pair with drive modes, to convey an overall sensory experience in the cabin.The teaser videos and photos that Bentley has shared indicate an SUV-style body with flatter surfaces than we see in the Bentayga; the tail lights and Bentley badge also look evolved. Inside, teaser images also show new door panels and softer materials than we've seen in the past.The big question is whether or not the Torcal will feature evolved headlights and tail lights, but the answer to that will have to wait until September 23rd.A new stop/start button was shown in the Bentley Torcal teaser videoA Cabin Experience Designed To Evolve The Bentley ExperienceBentley calls the in-cabin experience of the Torcal a "curation engine driven by sensory neuroscience." The idea is to add more than fine finishes and bespoke design by complementing it with air that adjusts to your mood and drive settings, sound that reflects this and lighting that highlights, or downplays, the mood. Using sensors, engineered sound, advanced lighting and climate modulators, drivers of the Bentley Torcal can create the ultimate environment in the cabin.AdvertisementAdvertisementBuyers can also, of course, create their ultimate Bentley, opting for bespoke details and Mulliner finishes.The multimedia screen in the Bentley Torcal reflects the use of crystalElectric Driving Is True To Bentley's RootsElectrification has been part of the Bentley ethos for decades; the company was among the first carmakers to top its assembly plant with solar panels and work toward a carbon-free footprint. Sustainability and sensitivity to the environment remains an important initiative for the company.Incorporating that electric idea into its vehicles proved popular among Bentley buyers. The company introduced the hybrid Continental and Flying Spur to much success; the Continental GT Speed, at 771 hp, is, until the Torcal makes its debut, the fastest Bentley on the road. It achieves that power via a plug-in hybrid and V8 powertrain that delivers 61 more hp than the now phased-out 12-cylinder engine that previously held the power record, which it also outsells.The Bentley Torcal shares its unique electric platform with the Porsche Cayenne, a more powerful and more sharply intentioned EV. It's estimated that the Torcal will have a driving range of just over 300 miles and a charge time of less than 20 minutes using a DC fast charge station. Or, owners will be able to charge it at home overnight with a level 2 charge system.A teaser image of the Bentley TorcalWill The Market Welcome An Electric Bentley?The big question for Bentley though, is will the Torcal prove popular with buyers? If the Rolls-Royce Spectre is any indication, it should. The Spectre is Rolls-Royce's second-best-selling vehicle, reflecting both the innovation and luxury of the electric coupe, as well as the luxury buyer's penchant for owning the car they want without worry about range anxiety.AdvertisementAdvertisementAnd the reception of the all-electric Genesis GV90, the brand's first foray into the ultra-luxury category, has been overwhelmingly positive, showing that powertrain is not a detriment to a model's intrigue.The growing popularity of EVs, thanks to the global spike in oil prices and increasing availability of public charging, adds to the lure and the luxury of the Bentley Torcal. But charging at home in privacy, driving in stealth mode and having Bentley's fabled torque underfoot is an unbeatable lure.This article was originally published on Forbes.com
