Bentley Motors has launched its first electric vehicle — the Torcal — priced at a level to sell against its existing plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine cars.
The new model will start selling in the U.S. at $218,000, with the Torcal S selling at $258,000, Mike Sayer, head of product communications at Bentley, told WardsAuto in an email.
It’s a significantly lower price than other ultra-luxury brands are offering for electric models. The Ferrari Luce, for example, starts at $640,000 in the U.S.
Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser was asked about the price difference in an interview with BBC Business earlier this week, and he explained he hopes it will help attract new audiences to the brand.
“It sits also on the lower end of the Bentley price band, and we know we are talking Bentley, so it's a little bit different to other cars,” said Walliser. “And we are looking also to get new, and also younger, audience and customers interested in our brand that could start their journey with Bentley just bit earlier,” he added.
The compact SUV model will soon be available globally through all of Bentley’s existing outlets and will come in a selection of two versions, the automaker said in its Sept. 24 release.
Bentley teased the Torcal back in July stating its name is derived from the Latin “torquere”, alluding to the extra torque output of EV powertrains.
It’s standard “core” Torcal model will launch with 810 hp maximum power output and 881 lb-ft of peak torque. Claimed performance sees acceleration to 60 mph from a standstill in 3.3 secondsand reaching a top speed of 155 mph.
The performance S Torcal offers 876 hp and 996 lb-ft when Launch Control is active, the greatest torque output of any Bentley model, claiming a 2.8-second sprint to 60 mph and a top speed of 162 mph.
The Torcal comes as standard with satin silver brightware, a single tone color split and Open Pore Crown Cut Walnut.
Meanwhile the Torcal S boasts additional performance-enhancing touches plus a darker theme extending to the rear lights and including a rear diffuser, red brake calipers, Sports pedals illuminated treadplates and dynamic ‘waterfall’ mood lighting.
The model employs a pair of permanent magnet synchronous motors that are dry sump designs and filled with oil for life. Its rear motor has a locking differential with a multi-plate clutch on each output shaft, while the front motor has a traditional open-differential design.
The 800V battery pack features 192 lithium-ion pouch cells running in series, with a net capacity of 113 kWh.
A claimed range of up to 375 miles and top-ups of 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes at a 400-kW public charger, means long distance trips are a feasibility.
The Torcal employs a fully active suspension using adaptive two-valve dampers, allowing a choice of chassis tune for each driving mode. Each damper can be actively, and independently, raised or lowered reacting to both road and driver inputs. The system means the chassis does not need anti-roll bars, said Bentley. Further, all-wheel steering adds to the car’s agility by deploying rear steering angles up to five degrees, reducing the turning circle to 36.4 feet, and carbon silicon carbide ceramic brakes complete an exclusive performance offering.
The Torcal is the shortest four-door in the current Bentley model lineup, measuring 197 inches long, and yet it offers 16 cubic feet of rear cargo space, augmented by a additional 3 cubic feet in a front storage area.
Its advanced driver assistance systems use a set of 25 radars, sensors and cameras to aid both driving functions and to learn often-used parking maneuvers. Bentley says the car is constantly scanning its environment able, for example, to recognize an advancing obstacle ahead on a narrow road and then automatically reverse, to a point already identified, to allow the obstacle to pass.
Four radar-controlled powered doors can self-open and close, such as when a passenger engages a seat belt or when the driver applies the foot brake.
Inside, the Torcal will be offered with two audio systems, starting with a 620-watt, 16-speaker system. Beyond that, in conjunction with Naim, the Torcal is available with a 1,780-watt, 28-speaker package that includes kinaesthetic seat shakers and front headrest speakers, along with Dolby Atmos 7.1.
Yet with all the excitement over the new EV launch, Walliser reassured Bentley loyalists that their powertrain choices will be available for the foreseeable future.
“Plug-in hybrids and ICE-only cars will still stay on offer,” Walliser added to BBC Business, while admitting Bentley has had to make a big investment with the new EV. “So it's not that we adapted our pace in the transition for the electric car, but yes, it comes with high investment,” added Walliser.
