Automobile desk — Luxury vehicle manufacturer Bentley has officially unveiled its first fully electric SUV Torcal, taking a big step in the global automobile market. The company has introduced this new SUV by creating a unique blend of its century-old heritage, excellent craftsmanship and modern electric technology. This step of Bentley is being considered very important amid the increasing demand for electric vehicles in the luxury segment.
The design of the Bentley Torcal presents a perfect balance of traditional and modern elements. At first glance this car clearly appears to be a member of the Bentley family. The company has retained the iconic design features of its traditional petrol and diesel models. The diamond shape headlights at the front of the car are inspired by Bentley's classic front grille. Although being an electric vehicle, there was no need for a traditional engine cooling grille, but this design has been specifically incorporated to maintain the brand identity and luxury appeal.
The company has done a unique experiment to make the feeling of driving a car on the road more authentic. A special sound system has been developed to simulate the sound of a traditional V8 engine, incorporating the sounds of the timpani of a classical orchestra. As the speed of the vehicle increases, this sound also changes in the same rhythm.
In terms of performance and power, it has become the most powerful production car in Bentley's history. The Torcal S variant has a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, which produces maximum power of 888 PS and torque of 1,350 Nm. This heavy SUV takes just 2.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph, while its top speed is 260 kmph. At the same time, its standard model has a power of 821 PS and a torque of 1,194 Nm, which takes it to a speed of 100 km per hour in 3.4 seconds.
To make long journeys easier, it has been fitted with a 113 kWh capacity battery pack based on 800V lithium-ion technology. This car is capable of giving a driving range of about 600 kilometers on full charge. To reduce charging time, it has been provided with 400kW ultra-fast charging support. With its help, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in just 16 minutes. In just 7 minutes of charging, this car gets enough energy to drive about 160 kilometers.
According to Bentley CEO Frank-Stephen Walliser, the company's primary objective was to create a vehicle that would be a Bentley first and foremost, not just a stand-out electric car. The model is receiving a very positive response from markets in Europe, America and the Middle East, while its marketing campaign in China will begin next year. Almost 50 percent of the customers showing interest in this vehicle are those who are joining this brand for the first time.
For this new project, the company has made a major investment of 350 million pounds (about 465 million dollars) in its manufacturing plant located in Crewe, UK. Torcal will be produced in this plant, which will strengthen Britain's automobile sector. Bentley had earlier set a target of becoming an all-electric brand by 2030, which was later revised considering customer feedback and market conditions. Through Torcal, the company has now officially started its new innings in the electric vehicle segment.
