2028 Bentley Torcal First Ride: A Luxury Electric Vehicle That Operates to a Unique Rhythm

      **Bentley**

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      Launching an electric vehicle (EV) right now is quite challenging. Political obstacles are significant; federal subsidies are gone, and public opinion is likely at its lowest regarding EVs in nearly a decade. This is unfortunate, especially as EVs are becoming more intriguing. Enter the Bentley Torcal.

      You might consider "Interesting EV" to be an oxymoron, and that's a valid perspective. However, let's examine a few uncomfortable truths. Firstly, EVs excel as luxury vehicles. They are inherently quiet, exceptionally smooth, and capable of delivering powerful bursts of performance that can draw the envious gazes of onlookers. Secondly, regardless of personal feelings towards them, they symbolize something novel and different. The allure of novelty should never be underestimated, particularly when it comes to the attention of affluent millennials.

      While these traits are shared among luxury EVs, they can also be found in less luxurious models. This poses a problem since nothing detracts from the appeal of something new quite like its commonness. For instance, if your Mercedes can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds, so can my electric Kia. If the initial challenge for automakers was to produce an electric vehicle, the second one is to create a captivating one. Bentley, entering the scene somewhat belatedly, faces the tough task of achieving both simultaneously.

      **Bentley is acutely aware of its challenging situation.** After this year's Car Week events in Monterey, you might have spotted some camouflaged vehicles around the coastal location. One of those was the Torcal prototype, being employed to transport journalists—myself included—to experience Bentley's inaugural electric SUV.

      While Bentley claims its goal is merely to create an intriguing EV, the company has specific standards to meet, with "Bentley-ness" being paramount. Bentley dealers need to sell these vehicles to discerning customers, who are known to have high expectations, a sentiment echoed even by those working to uphold Bentley's prestigious image. This raises an important question: What defines Bentley-ness?

      Providing a thorough answer would require much more space than I’m willing to allocate, so I’ll summarize it using the phrase that product line manager Martin Page frequently used to describe the engineering team’s vision for the Torcal’s powertrain response: “effortless progression.”

      The Torcal seems to cover this aspect well. Its foundation shares a platform with the electric Porsche Cayenne and thus encompasses nearly all of its capabilities. We already know that the Porsche variant is impressive, and the Bentley will fall between the Cayenne S and Turbo with over 840 hp and a similar weight. While the objectives of both vehicles are similar, Bentley focuses more on luxury rather than maximum performance.

      The steering setup in the Cayenne is designed for the road to guide the driver, whereas Bentley’s approach is to push back against those road influences. A Bentley is meant to control the road, not the other way around. The Torcal's response when turning the wheel is intentionally subdued, gradually increasing as the driver inputs, helping create the illusion that the vehicle's mass allows it to glide over any road imperfections.

      However, this sense of control is intended to feel natural. This challenge is particularly intricate in electric vehicles, as the internal combustion process significantly contributes to the character of traditional cars. Nowadays, the authenticity of engine sounds is a contentious topic, but generally, EV noises lack an organic feel. With few exceptions, the sounds produced by EVs are often contrived.

      Instead of attempting to replicate the sound of a combustion engine, Bentley chose to draw inspiration from the sensations and experiences typically associated with natural engine sounds. Engines are inherently flawed, and so are the noises they produce. This led Bentley to incorporate sounds made by living beings rather than synthetic noise, resulting in an instrumental soundtrack.

      Picture the rhythm of a vigorously cammed V8 engine—the minor explosions impacting the pistons with imperfect timing. This idle rhythm is represented in the Torcal's propulsion sound by drums. Complementary instruments, such as the viola and bass guitar, fill out the sound. Just like a traditional combustion engine, the noise from the Torcal correlates not to speed but to the actual workload on its motors. As the load increases, the sound becomes deeper and more resonant. When accelerating quickly, the tempo quickens, and higher frequencies emerge, creating a fitting sound experience.

      As for the feature I mentioned earlier regarding Bentley keeping some of Porsche's tech aside? I referred to Porsche Active Ride. While it's a useful addition, it doesn't enhance the organic feel of the car. However, the Torcal has the 800-volt electrical system that supports the chassis capabilities, keeping the suspension as responsive as Porsche's. There are numerous elements that will make the Bentley Torcal an engaging and possibly compelling electric vehicle, but Bentley decided against incorporating features that contradict its overarching mission.

      Before concluding this commentary on "Bent