Bentley Unveils First All-Electric SUV, Torcal, With £350 Million Investment

Bentley has launched its first all-electric vehicle, the Torcal SUV, following a substantial investment of £350 million to modernize its manufacturing facility in Crewe, England. The new electric SUV will be produced on a dedicated assembly line at the historic site, which has served as Bentley's global headquarters since 1946.

This significant investment is expected to bolster approximately 4,000 high-value jobs in the Crewe area, according to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade highlighted that the Torcal's production will reinforce the United Kingdom's automotive supply chains. Bentley collaborates with over 700 businesses, including 82 located within a 50-mile radius of its Crewe base, underscoring the local economic impact of this development.

The introduction of the Torcal comes at a challenging time for the UK's automotive industry, which is facing economic headwinds, marked by recent large-scale job cuts at Jaguar Land Rover and a broader industry search for growth opportunities. Despite the push towards electric mobility and the announcement of new EV models, there are ongoing discussions about the pace of transition to a fully electric future.

Bentley has equipped the Torcal with a 113kWh battery, offering an estimated range of up to 375 miles (600 km) on a single charge. The vehicle supports rapid charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes when connected to a 400kW charger.

The Torcal S variant is positioned as Bentley's most powerful car to date, boasting a top speed of 162 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds. The standard Torcal model can reach speeds of up to 155 mph and achieves 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.