At last, it has happened. After more than a century of building some of Britain’s most coveted grand tourers, Bentley has unveiled its first fully electric car.“For 107 years, Bentleys have been the most incredibly complete cars – effortless performance, outstanding comfort, exquisite British craftsmanship using the finest natural materials and a soundtrack with soul,” says chief executive Frank-Steffen Walliser. “Our new car sets extraordinary benchmarks in every area that matters, and may just be the most considered car in our history.”The National was given an early preview of the model at Bentley’s historic Pyms Lane factory in Crewe back in June. Designed around everyday usability rather than excess, the Torcal measures about five metres in length and promises a range of about 483km – and aims to attract an entirely new segment of customers to Bentley. It also ushers in a new design language for the marque. Most striking is the fully illuminated grille that feels surprising at first, but quickly makes sense. Rather than simply recreating the look of an existing Bentley without an engine, the company has embraced the design freedoms offered by electrification while retaining an unmistakable brand identity.The proportions are superb. Viewed in profile, the car sits low and purposeful, with muscular rear haunches that give it the stance of something ready to pounce. It is unm...
This page contains an attributed headline and the preview text supplied through the publisher’s RSS feed. Copyright in the original reporting belongs to The National.
