Bentley has finally shown its first fully electric car, and it looks like the company actually meant it when it promised a production version of the EXP 15 concept. The Torcal, named after a rock formation in Spain, made its debut today after a few weeks of secrecy, and it is smaller and more purposeful than anyone expected.
The camouflaged prototype revealed a few weeks ago disguised the real car. The real car is blocky, less bulbous than the disguise would suggest, and closer to the EXP 15’s vision. It slots beneath the Bentayga in size and should sit below the PHEV version of that model in price, though Bentley has not confirmed exactly how much US buyers can expect to pay.
The Torcal’s Shape
The Torcal is a smaller car than the Bentayga, and that difference shows in its proportions. It is more compact, which means it should feel more planted on the road. The blocky design gives it a confident look that suggests it was built to handle corners as well as straight lines.
The production version keeps some of the ideas from the EXP 15 concept, even if it does not stretch out the same elegant proportions. The concept car brought some of its ideas to the road, and the production version follows in its wake.
Power Numbers
The standard Torcal produces 810 horsepower and 880 lb-ft of torque. That is enough for a 3.3-second 0–60 mph time, or 3.4 seconds to 100 km/h. The more powerful Torcal S pushes that to 875 horsepower and 995 lb-ft of torque, which cuts the 0–60 mph time to 2.8 seconds and the 100 km/h time to 2.9 seconds. The S also gets a higher top speed of 162 mph, up from 155 mph for the standard version.
Both figures are impressive, though the source offers no comparison by size or weight. The standard model is quick enough for most drivers, while the S is a statement of intent for those who want more. Neither figure is entirely practical outside certain stretches of German highway, but the numbers still matter. They tell you what the car is capable of, even if you never push it to its limits.
Porsche Tech Under the Hood
The Torcal shares technology with Porsche, since both brands are part of the greater Volkswagen Group empire. That means the underpinnings are familiar territory for engineers who have worked across the group’s brands.
The power output is not as prodigious as the electric Porsche Cayenne, but it should be sufficient for most buyers.
Suspension and Handling
The Torcal is a heavy car, and that weight requires careful tuning. The suspension and drive modes have been calibrated to be familiar to existing Bentley customers, including pedal calibrations and steering response rates. That continuity matters for a brand whose customers know exactly what they expect from the controls.
The clever active ride suspension is the highlight. Martin Page, product line director for the Torcal, described it directly: “In a steady state environment… you’ve got the ride comfort and compliance from a Flying Spur, but in a dynamic environment, we’ve got a vehicle that’s as dynamic and capable as a GT.”
That balance is the whole point of the Torcal. It is not a track-only toy, and it is not a wallowing boulevard cruiser. It is meant to be both comfortable and capable, depending on the situation.
The Price Question
Bentley has not announced the price for US buyers yet. The car should slot beneath the Bentayga, at least in the PHEV version, but the exact figure remains unknown. That is a significant gap in information for a brand that has spent years building its reputation on luxury and exclusivity.
The pricing question is worth watching. The company will need to find the sweet spot carefully.
The Bottom Line
The Torcal is a bold step for Bentley. It is the brand’s first fully electric car, and it carries the promise of the EXP 15 concept into production. The performance figures are strong, the handling promises balance, and the design suggests a car that knows what it wants to be.
The only real question is the price. Once that number is confirmed, buyers will know whether the Torcal is a genuine option or a curiosity. For now, the car itself looks like a success.
Key Facts Box
– Standard Torcal: 810 hp, 880 lb-ft, 3.3 sec 0–60 mph (3.4 sec 0–100 km/h)
– Torcal S: 875 hp, 995 lb-ft, 2.8 sec 0–60 mph (2.9 sec 0–100 km/h), 162 mph top speed
– Top speed standard: 155 mph
– Bentley shares technology with Porsche via Volkswagen Group
– Production car slots beneath Bentayga in size and likely price
– No US pricing confirmed yet
The Torcal is a car that knows what it wants to be. It is smaller, faster, and more focused than its predecessor, and it carries the promise of the EXP 15 concept into production. The performance figures are strong, the handling promises balance, and the design suggests a car that knows what it wants to be.
Source material: “Here's the Torcal, the first fully electric Bentley,” Ars Technica.
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