Bentley’s new EV doesn’t roar.
It plays a drumline.
The Torcal replaces the traditional V8 soundtrack with an orchestral arrangement designed to mimic the soul of a combustion engine.
Not a synthesized buzz.
Not amplified motor whine.
This is the approach.
Bentley studied its own history. They looked at early 1930s supercharged motors. They listened to the 6.75-litre legend. They analyzed the W12. The goal wasn’t imitation, they claim. It was about preserving an “immersive and emotional experience” when you stomp the gas.
Rhythm matters more than mechanical tone.
That’s what they found in the studio.
They put a V8 under microphones and compared it to a live drummer.
Striking similarities appeared. Energy. Cadence. Impact.
Real engines aren’t perfectly uniform either.
Those slight imperfections give it a human touch.
So the Torcal gets the ‘Bentley Dynamic Symphony.’
Primarily drums.
Thumping like a heavy engine block.
With viola and bass guitar added for that emotive undercurrent.
It responds to you. Accelerate, the tempo picks up. Coast, it slows down.
Sounds pretentious? Maybe.
Does it matter if you feel something when the speed climbs?
The Torcal arrives late September. 23rd. London.
It’s the final test drive version of last year’s EXP 15 concept.
It’s big. Five meters of SUV sitting below the Bentayga.
Named after a limestone formation in Spain, El Torcal de Antequera.
The word comes from Latin torquere – to twist.
Same root as torque.
Fitting, isn’t it.
The design keeps the bold lines from the concept. Illuminated grille. Vertical LEDs up front. A rear “prestigious shield” modeled on vintage luggage racks.
It’s distinct.
Bentley thinks silence needs to be filled.
Not just with noise.
But with feeling.
