Bentley Launches Its Very First — No, Second — No, Third — Electric Car

Bentley is about to put a badge on something it has been circling for years: a fully electric car of its own. The company will unveil the Torcal, a compact all-electric SUV, on September 23 — and, as you'd expect from Bentley, at a Bentley-level price. It's a curious counterpoint to what US automakers have been doing lately, which is scrambling to find some degree of affordability in their zero-emission lineups.

But is it really Bentley's first EV? That depends on how generous you're feeling with the definition.

The "first EV" question, answered three ways

Bentley has been selling electrified vehicles since 2018, just not battery-electric ones. Those were plug-in hybrids, headlined by the Bentayga SUV. Then in 2022 the company teased an all-electric model slated for 2025 — a timeline that clearly slipped.

In the meantime, 2023 brought the oddest entry on the list: the Blower Jnr, built under license by The Little Car Company, recreating the iconic 4.5-liter Supercharged Team Car No. 2 of 1929 with an electric powertrain. Bentley points out it's designed for street use, unlike the outfit's other creations. The specs are charmingly modest:

  • 48V electric powertrain with a 15 kW (20 bhp) motor
  • Top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) in the UK and EU — capped at 25 mph (40 km/h) in the US due to legislation
  • Roughly 65 miles of expected range
  • Tandem seating for two adults
  • Limited to 349 units globally

Even the charging hardware got the heritage treatment. As Bentley describes it:

"At the front of the car, the supercharger now houses the charging port that connects the onboard charger to any Type 1 or Type 2 socket. It's surrounded by the famous Bentley mesh grille, in an authentic nickel-plated radiator housing."

Which makes the Torcal Bentley's first all-electric car engineered in-house, without a partner like The Little Car Company. Third electric car, first real one. Take your pick.

What the Torcal actually is

As part of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley drew on the same electrified platform that sister brand Porsche uses in the Cayenne, with some touches borrowed from another VW sibling, Audi. Where the Blower Jnr is pure indulgence, the Torcal is aimed squarely at practicality — specifically, city driving.

Bentley of Rancho Mirage in California sums up the positioning: "As Bentley prepares to reveal the Torcal on September 23, this historic first Bentley EV will introduce a smaller, all-electric SUV positioned below the gas-powered Bentayga while carrying forward Bentley craftsmanship, luxury, and performance."

The dealer adds that the Bentayga stays on as the larger gas and hybrid luxury SUV, while the Torcal "introduces a new electric alternative designed for modern urban driving, quick acceleration, and refined everyday usability." Compared to the current Bentayga, the Torcal is expected to be shorter and lower-slung — easier in traffic and tight parking, without giving up the refinement buyers expect.

One detail that says everything about how Bentley approaches this stuff: Motor Trend rode along in a heavily camouflaged prototype last week and noted a synthesized powertrain soundtrack mimicking a Bentley 6.75-liter V-8. It wasn't recorded from an actual engine. It was performed by real musicians on real instruments.

What this means if you're shopping EV gear

A few practical takeaways for anyone watching the market rather than the waitlist:

  • The US market keeps pulling in new entrants. Tariff pressure hasn't scared Bentley off — the Torcal is coming here, and a waitlist is already open. More EVs on US roads means more demand for home charging, adapters, and everyday protection gear.
  • Connector details aren't confirmed yet. Bentley has published Type 1 / Type 2 specifics for the Blower Jnr, not the Torcal. If you're planning a garage setup around any new EV, wait for the official port spec before buying cables or adapters — that's the one purchase where guessing gets expensive.
  • City-scaled EVs change what accessories matter. Shorter, lower-slung, urban-focused vehicles lean harder on compact Level 2 charging, portable charge cables for street and garage parking, and interior protection that survives daily short trips.

Full reveal lands September 23. Until then, the safest move for any new EV in your driveway is the same one it's always been: confirm the charge port, size your home charging to the onboard charger, and buy the gear once.

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