Bentley has named its first fully electric car the Torcal, a 5-meter-long SUV with a range of more than 300 miles, and confirmed a full reveal on 23 September 2026, according to WIRED. The British marque released a tease image of the rear alongside the announcement. The Torcal name follows Bentley's tradition of drawing from natural landmarks, specifically El Torcal de Antequera in Andalusia, Spain. It also derives from the Latin torquere (to twist), the root of 'torque'.
Design and First Impressions
WIRED was invited to a secret viewing near Bentley's UK headquarters. The Torcal is similar in form to the Bentayga, with a long hood and upright front, though the roofline drops at the rear for aerodynamics. The front grille is a solid wall of illuminated crystals, inspired by the Continental T. Inside, physical buttons for key functions are mixed with OLED screens; unlike some rivals, Bentley has not offered a separate passenger screen. The central display curves downward in a manner reminiscent of the new Cayenne.
The Graveyard Torcal Is Driving Into
Bentley chairman and chief executive Frank-Steffen Walliser called the Torcal "the most considered car" in Bentley's history, and it will need to be. The luxury EV market is in disarray:
| Brand | Model | Status | Specific Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini | Lanzador | Shelved | CEO Stephan Winkelmann said demand among buyers is "going almost to zero, if not to zero." |
| Ferrari | Luce | Revealed | The unveiling wiped billions off Ferrari's market value within hours. Second EV pushed back to 2028. |
| Mercedes-Benz | Electric G Wagen | Weak sales | Only 1,450 sold in Europe through April 2025 vs. 9,700 combustion versions. |
| Audi | Q8 E-tron | Discontinued | Brussels plant closed; cited "global decline in customer orders in the electric luxury class segment." |
| Porsche | Taycan | Depreciation | Depreciation described as "eye-watering" by WIRED. |
The Torcal arrives at "possibly the worst moment to date to sell a premium electric car," according to WIRED. The struggles of Bentley's stablemates inside Volkswagen Group — particularly Porsche's Taycan depreciation and Audi's plant closure — underscore the headwinds.
Manufacturing Implications
While Bentley has not disclosed production volumes or factory locations for the Torcal, the context of scaling back among rivals is stark. Audi's closure of its Brussels plant for the Q8 E-tron and Lamborghini shelving the Lanzador indicate that luxury EV manufacturing capacity is being reassessed. Bentley's decision to proceed with a full-electric SUV suggests confidence in its niche, but the company faces a market where even Ferrari and Mercedes are retreating. The Torcal's success may depend on its ability to differentiate through craftsmanship and brand loyalty rather than volume.
Production Timeline
The full reveal of the Bentley Torcal is scheduled for 23 September 2026. No production start date or annual capacity figures have been released.
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