Bentley’s first electric vehicle has arrived. The ultraluxury compact crossover, called the Torcal, combines up to 888 horsepower with advanced technology, making it the brand’s most powerful vehicle yet and its most tech-forward model to date.

Nearly 1,000 Pound-Feet of Torque

For 107 years, Bentleys have been defined by effortless performance, outstanding comfort, exquisite British hand craftsmanship using the best natural materials, and a distinctive soundtrack.

That description comes from Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser, who says those qualities remain true with the launch of the company’s first EV. The Torcal is electric, but Bentley says it still needs to embody what the brand represents.

Two electric motors power the Torcal. In S form, they produce a combined 876 horsepower, or 888 horsepower in metric terms. The model delivers just four pound-feet less than 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

The standard Torcal is also powerful, producing 810 horsepower and 880 lb-ft of torque.

Electric Power With a Classic Bentley Sound

Although the Torcal does not have Bentley’s six-and-three-quarters-liter V8 under the hood, the company has designed its sound to evoke the character of its gasoline engines.

Bentley’s sound design uses the rhythm of its gas-fired engines to create the vehicle’s new soundscape, combined with real instruments in what the company calls the Bentley Dynamic Symphony.

The Torcal uses an 800-volt electrical system and a 113 kWh 192-pouch battery. Bentley says the electric crossover can travel 375 miles on the WLTP cycle. The battery pack comes with a 10-year warranty, which is two years longer than typical.

Fully Active Suspension and Large Brakes

The Torcal is the first Bentley to feature a fully active suspension. Its two-valve adaptive dampers can each be raised or lowered instantly and independently, eliminating the need for anti-roll bars.

Bentley says the setup improves ride comfort and handling, while standard all-wheel steering helps the vehicle maneuver through tight corners in the city.

Iron brake discs are standard, while customers can choose a carbon ceramic upgrade. The upgraded brakes share their position with other Bentley models as the largest front discs in the world.

Compact Dimensions, Limited Cargo Space

The Torcal measures exactly five meters in length, which Bentley describes as the maximum length for urban parking in Europe’s crowded cities.

The crossover includes a frunk, but its three cubic feet of storage space is limited. The rear cargo area provides 16 cubic feet, which is still smaller than the Porsche Macan with which the Torcal shares a platform.

Luxury Materials and New Technology

Inside, the Torcal introduces several firsts for Bentley. It is the first Bentley with electric power and the first vehicle anywhere to use a 100% Merino wool automotive fabric.

The cabin also features a new walnut veneer made from up to 1,000 individually selected walnut off-cuts and recycled paper. The materials are pressed together and then sliced to less than a millimeter thick.

Bentley retains its physical controls and knurled knobs while adding new screens, including curved displays exclusive to the brand. The seats are also all-new, with standard 16-way adjustment and massage. Even more elaborate seats are available.

Advanced Driver Assistance and Facial Recognition

All four doors feature radar-assisted power opening and closing. The system can operate automatically either at the touch of a button or when each passenger buckles or unbuckles their seat belt.

The Torcal also includes a range of driving assists, including features designed to help prevent inconveniences such as a curbed wheel.

For drivers in rural areas of the UK, the vehicle can store the roadway it has recently traveled. It can then automatically reverse to a passing place, including on single-track roads common in Scotland, Wales and rural England.

Other technology includes facial recognition that identifies the driver and loads their seat and user settings. While many vehicles can remember settings through the key, the Torcal uses facial recognition for this function. The vehicle also supports phone as key.

With its electric powertrain, advanced suspension, luxury materials and extensive technology, the Bentley Torcal marks the company’s first entry into electric vehicles while becoming its most powerful and technologically advanced model yet.