Bentley Jumps Into EV World With 876-HP Torcal First Edition

Bentley has finally plugged in. The Torcal, the brand's first electric vehicle, arrives as an ultra-luxury compact crossover, and the launch spec is the Torcal First Edition packing 876 horsepower and 996 lb-ft of torque. Bentley says it's the brand's fastest and quietest vehicle yet, which is a loaded claim for a compact crossover.

Bentley calls the First Edition "an extraordinary level of standard equipment," and for once the marketing may undersell it. The exterior gets 22-inch First Edition wheels finished in gloss black, their spokes picked out in Liquid Silver, along with self-leveling badges, plus a Carbon Fiber Styling Specification that, per Bentley, covers the front bumper winglets, the mirror caps, the side sills, and the rear diffuser.

Inside, the extravagance keeps climbing. Buyers get bespoke quilting with contrasting chevrons on the seats, illuminated tread plates marked First Edition, standard Gloss Carbon Fiber technical finish, deep-pile overmats, "Wellness" front seats, and, for the rear, a Comfort Seat Specification. Both rows of doors are power-operated, and there's a Frosted Diamond Switchable Sunroof overhead.

The headline party trick is audio. The Naim for Bentley system packs 1,780 Watts across 28 speakers, complete with kinesthetic seat transducers and headrest speakers, enough to hit full Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 specification. Twenty-eight speakers. In a compact crossover.

There's no dedicated First Edition color. Instead, Bentley's Color Specification opens up additional color splits, including a pair from Mulliner, eight accent colors, and the option of a third interior color. Owners can also swap the Gloss Carbon Fiber finish for alternative finishes at no extra cost, and choose their own leather and contrast stitching.

Even without the S badge, the Torcal produces 810 hp and 880 lb-ft. Bentley says the S hits zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, a figure that reportedly matches the BMW M3 Competition xDrive's independently tested run, while chasing the Rolls-Royce Cullinan on luxury.

Pricing hasn't been announced. A $200,000-plus starting figure wouldn't surprise anyone, which is remarkable for Bentley's smallest four-door yet.

[Images: Bentley Motors]

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