The Bentley Torcal will be an SUV smaller than the Bentayga.
There are no plans for a combustion-engine version.
With the Torcal, Bentley wants to attract new customers.

Like many other automakers, Bentley has delayed its target for an all-electric range. The fully electric lineup was originally planned for 2030, yet that timeline has shifted. Even with the adjustment, the first model from Crewe to eliminate combustion engines entirely stays on schedule for a global debut later this year. Before the confirmed September 23 unveiling in London, the vehicle now carries the name Torcal.

Previously called the Urban SUV by Bentley, the model points to a more compact size. Though smaller than the Bentayga, it will still offer generous proportions typical of vehicles bearing the Flying B emblem. The Torcal name draws from a natural site, following the pattern set by the Bentayga, Bacalar, and Batur. Inspiration came specifically from El Torcal de Antequera in Andalusia, Spain.

The teaser offers limited details, but adjusted exposure highlights additional styling cues. Certain design features may appear from last year's EXP 15, adapted into an SUV form. The concept stood out with its asymmetrical doors, two on one side and one on the other. The production Torcal should feature a standard four-door layout along with the tailgate visible in the preview.

Bentley Torcal teaser (modified)

Photo by: Bentley

Spy footage and images of disguised prototypes have already circulated around the Nurburgring. The Torcal displays a boxy, conventional SUV profile instead of the concept's unusual segment. Still, select bold elements from the EXP 15 are expected to influence the Torcal and differentiate it from the long-running Bentayga. As a result, the new EV should appear more contemporary than the gasoline SUV, which traces its origins to the 2012 EXP 9 F concept.

Unlike the Bentayga, no combustion engines will power the Torcal. Bentley has stated it will not adapt the model for internal combustion. As part of the Volkswagen Group, the vehicle likely builds on shared architecture with the Porsche Cayenne Electric, adding greater luxury to support its badge and pricing.

Technical details remain undisclosed, yet the presumed sibling model provides useful insights. The Porsche Cayenne Electric uses Premium Platform Electric underpinnings to deliver up to 1,140 horsepower and 1,106 pound-feet (1,500 Newton-meters) of torque. It includes a 113-kWh battery offering up to 642 kilometers (nearly 400 miles) of WLTP range and 400-kW charging capability.

The Cayenne Electric charges from 10 to 80 percent in under 16 minutes and gains 325 kilometers (202 miles) of range in 10 minutes. Wireless charging availability for the Torcal is still unknown. In the Porsche, the optional inductive system supports up to 11 kW, requiring more time for a full charge.

The dual-motor configuration promises strong performance, as the Cayenne Turbo Electric reaches 62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.5 seconds. It accelerates to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 7.4 seconds and tops out at 162 mph (260 km/h).

Bentley EXP 15 Design Vision Concept

Source: Bentley

What do you think?

Motor1's Take: With the Torcal launch approaching in a few months, another manufacturer will soon add an EV to its range. Skepticism about its market reception is understandable, yet Bentley believes the model will draw fresh buyers. Earlier this year, the electric SUV was shown privately in Miami and Los Angeles, where 80 percent of attendees expressed interest in purchasing it, according to Mike Rocco, CEO of Bentley North America.

Combustion engines and plug-in hybrids will continue for customers who prefer them, extending well into the next decade. Because the Torcal adds a fourth model line rather than replacing an existing one, the brand can address a wider variety of preferences.