Bentley Just Named Its First EV, And It Isn’t Barnato

After years of concepts, spy shots and shifting electrification plans, Bentley has finally put a name to its first production EV. Meet the Torcal, a new electric luxury SUV that will make its public debut in London on September 23 and will open an entirely new chapter for the British luxury brand.

Like the Bentayga, Bacalar and Batur, the Torcal – not Barnato, as some had predicted – gets its name from a famous natural landmark. In this case, it’s El Torcal de Antequera in southern Spain, a landscape known for its dramatic limestone formations. Bentley also points out that the name traces back to the Latin word torquere, linking it to the modern word torque.

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What’s more important than the name, though, is what the Torcal represents. It’s Bentley’s fourth standalone model line, joining the Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga, and its only fully electric offering.

Company boss Frank Steffen Walliser claims it “sets extraordinary benchmarks in every area that matters” and “may just be the most considered car in our history,” though he could just mean he considered axing it every time he saw tumbling EV sales figures for the US market.

Last Year’s EXP 15 Dropped Big Clues

Bentley is still keeping most of the important details under wraps, but a confirmed length of under 5 m (197 inches) means it sits below the Bentayga in the lineup in terms of size. We also know it will feature Bentley’s next design language, which debuted on last year’s EXP 15 fastback SUV concept (seen above) and introduced a monolithic look and a return to upright grilles. And the interior will mix traditional Bentley luxury with unusual curved displays and an Audi multifunction column stalk.

Under the skin, it shares its hardware and platform with the Porsche Cayenne Electric. That means an 800 volt architecture that can add 100 miles (160 km) of range in seven minutes, and probably 108 kWh net of battery capacity. Design boss Robin Paige told Autocar to expect 300-350 miles (483-563 km) of range.

Could Have Up To 1,139 HP

Bentley hasn’t revealed power outputs yet – it says we’ll find out more in the weeks ahead – but we can be sure that dual motors and all-wheel drive will be standard. If it lifts its motors directly from the Cayenne Electric, the Torcal could start with 402 hp (408 PS / 300 kW) and top out at 1,139 hp (1,156 PS / 850 kW).

The Torcal won’t replace the Bentayga, but will be sold alongside it. Bentley has already confirmed the gasoline SUV will live on with another generation later this decade as the company embraces a slower transition toward electrification. Instead, the Torcal is designed to broaden the lineup, giving the brand’s SUV buyers another choice rather than forcing them into an EV.

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