2027 Bentley Torcal: British brand's first EV revealed with Porsche DNA

Bentley has revealed its first electric vehicle (EV), in the form of a brutish SUV that will simultaneously become the historic marque's most attainable, most powerful and fastest-accelerating production model ever.

The 2027 Bentley Torcal has been revealed in standard and 'S First Edition' guises, both drawing upon the underpinnings of the new Porsche Cayenne Electric, though the British brand stresses that "every single system is calibrated uniquely for Bentley" – including brake, accelerator and steering feel – to ensure it's in line with the company's ethos of "accessible performance without absurdity".

Both versions use dual-motor electric powertrains, with the standard Torcal pushing out 603kW of power and 1194Nm of torque, while the more powerful Torcal S First Edition ups that to 653kW and 1350Nm – the latter being the highest output of any Bentley ever.

The standard Torcal dashes from 0-60mph (0-97km/h) in a claimed 3.4 seconds, while the Torcal S is the quickest ever Bentley with a 2.9-second 0-60mph claim. The 'base' car quotes a 250km/h top speed, with the S bumping that to 260km/h.

Feeding those motors is a 113kWh battery teamed with an 800V electrical architecture, offering up to 600km of WLTP driving range, which Bentley says equates to around "five hours of travel time". It can be charged at a rate of up to 400kW using a DC fast-charger, which will see the battery replenish 10 to 80 per cent state of charge in just 16 minutes.

Compared to the Cayenne Electric, the Torcal S betters the standard power output of the Cayenne Turbo Electric (630kW), though the Torcal doesn't have an overboost function that matches the Turbo's 850kW/1500Nm maximum outputs. The flagship Cayenne EV quotes a 0-100km/h time of 2.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 260km/h. The Cayenne's 3.5-tonne maximum towing capacity also betters the Bentley's 2.7-tonne claim.

At 4983mm long, 2016mm wide and 1674mm tall, the Torcal is 161mm shorter than the standard-wheelbase Bentayga – which shares its architecture with the petrol- and PHEV-powered 'E3' Porsche Cayenne – and is poised to become Bentley's most attainable model, priced from "around £165,000" (A$309,784) in the UK for the standard Torcal.

For reference, the Bentayga kicks off from about £156,000 (A$292,879) in the UK for the plug-in 'Hybrid' version that's no longer sold here, while in Australia the most attainable Bentayga is the Bentayga V8 ($412,600 plus on-road costs). In the UK, the cheapest Bentayga V8 is priced from about £178,800 (A$335,693).

The design itself draws upon Bentley's past and future. Said to be inspired by the Continental T of the late-1990s and early-2000s, the front-end is bluff and upright, while the rear-end treatment is reminiscent of the EXP 15 electric fastback concept shown in 2025. However, the Torcal retains a more conventional SUV roofline to go with its blistered rear haunches.

Further design inspiration from the EXP 15 carries into the cabin, which we'll detail further down.

Bentley says the Torcal's standard active suspension with two-valve adaptive damping offers 'magic carpet' levels of ride comfort in addition to "[a] new level of body control, without anti-roll bars". The marque goes as far as claiming the Torcal is the hardest-cornering four-door Bentley in the company's history.

The Torcal also debuts a new-generation driver-assistance technology suite, courtesy of its new architecture. There are also new 'health and wellbeing systems' baked into the in-car technology experience, as well as new OLED displays, facial recognition technology, and an augmented-reality head-up display. All doors are self-opening and closing, which can be toggled individually or simultaneously.

The interior of the Torcal is quite clearly inspired by the EXP 15, from the winged motif for the general architecture and general detailing, as well as the crystal-effect design elements throughout both the physical and digital elements of the cabin.

"All-new" seating options debut in Bentley's first EV, including new cushion and backrest massaging functions, power-folding rear seats, 'Postural Adjust' and 'Smart Seat Climate' features, a new climate control system, and a glass roof that offers a version of Porsche's Variable Light Control switchable glass technology.

An available 28-speaker premium audio system boasts an output of up to 1780W, seat shakers and speakers in the head restraints, as well as compatibility with Dolby Atmos 7.1 surround sound.

As previously reported, Bentley has commissioned a number of new trims, materials and manufacturing processes for the Torcal, including the industry-first application of merino wool as a trim option, developed in partnership with renowned Somerset clothmaker, Fox Brothers. Made specifically for the new Torcal, Bentley says the material is "soft to the touch, naturally breathable and unmistakably authentic".

Six "carefully curated" colourways have been created to accompany the new Merino wool, each combining "complementary tones from the same colour family, creating depth, harmony and a contemporary sense of sophistication". It's also the first automotive wool fabric to achieve 100 per cent certification by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) – the Textile Exchange's globally recognised program.

There will also be the option of a new 'Ombre Veneer', created from sustainably sourced off-cuts of walnut and recycled paper. Bentley says the veneer is formed from "up to 1000 individually selected layers that are carefully pressed together before being sliced to less than a millimetre in thickness".

The result is a striking textured material that the company says complements the geometry of the cabin, creating "a seamless transition of tone across each surface". Bentley's Mulliner coachbuilding division has also created a Sunburst Aluminium trim insert that is said to reinterpret " engine-turned aluminium dashboards that graced Bentley models of the past".

The Bentley Diamond motif continues throughout, with an illuminated floating diamond grille outside, while the interior displays feature projections of light passing through real hand-cut crystal glass, crafted in collaboration with Cumbria Crystal in England's Lake District.

Production of the Bentley Torcal will commence during the second quarter of 2027, though customers can specify their vehicles from today. Firm timing for Australian deliveries is still to be confirmed, but CarExpert understands first vehicles will arrive Down Under before the end of next year.

Bentley says the Torcal was designed, engineered and crafted in Great Britain, with vehicles assembled on a "cutting-edge" new production line at the company's home in Crewe, near Manchester. The facility in which the Torcal will be produced is a newly restored building which dates back to 1938.

The Torcal is the product of a self-funded multi-billion-pound transformation of the brand's headquarters in Crewe to create what Bentley says is a "future-ready manufacturing and innovation campus with world-class production, engineering, design and quality facilities".

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