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Leather has held a monopoly on luxury car interiors for decades, and automakers still consider it an indispensable part of premium luxury. But the upcoming Torcal crossover, Bentley’s first mass-produced all-electric vehicle, will move away from the traditional interior – the company has opted for pure Somerset merino wool and wood veneer made from a thousand layers.
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To achieve this, Bentley partnered with Fox Brothers, a textile mill in Somerset that has been weaving wool since the 18th century, to create the first automotive fabric made from 100% certified merino wool. Instead of thin blends containing 30% wool diluted with polyester, this material is soft, breathable, and features a ribbed, quilted texture.
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Next to it is a veneer trim with an ombre effect, created from 1,000 compressed layers of walnut scraps and recycled paper. They were cut into strips less than 1 mm thick to achieve a natural transition from deep black to rich wood tones. Together with the Cumbria Crystal dials and Sunburst aluminum panels, the interior resembles a Savile Row-style lounge on wheels.
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Bentley’s marketing department decided to name this car the Urban EV, a display of true British humor, given that the Torcal is 5,000 mm long. The electric vehicle features a vertical front end, frameless glass, and door panels without drainage channels, which help avoid the bloated proportions of a crossover, but its 22-inch wheels will still make Bentley’s new model stand out on the road.
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The Torcal uses the Volkswagen Group’s 800-volt Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, which is also found in the electric Porsche Cayenne. This means two electric motors with a combined output of about 900 horsepower, powered by a massive 112 kWh battery. The range will be between 560 and 590 km. Thanks to the 800-volt electrical system, capable of delivering peak charging power of up to 400 kW, the vehicle can add 161 km of range in less than seven minutes at a high-speed DC charging station.
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Acceleration on a straight stretch will be breathtaking. The electric vehicle is expected to beat the 3.2-second time it takes for the hybrid Continental GT to accelerate to 100 km/h. The automaker also commissioned studio musicians to record acoustic drums and instruments, layering them to recreate the rhythm of a classic twin-turbo V8 when the accelerator pedal is pressed hard.
The Torcal is expected to have a starting price of around €199,000. This is significantly higher than the BMW iX, which starts at a comparatively modest €82,000, but cheaper than the two-door Rolls-Royce Spectre, which carries a price tag of €387,000. Its direct competitor could be the upcoming Range Rover Electric, which will retail for approximately €176,000.