Luxury automaker Bentley has officially entered the electric vehicle market with the launch of the Torcal, an SUV priced at £173,000. This launch is supported by a £350 million investment in the company’s Crewe factory, a move intended to secure the jobs of 4,000 employees.

To address the transition from traditional combustion engines to electric powertrains, Bentley has introduced a unique audio feature. The car utilizes a synthetic sound system, created from drum recordings of the company’s historical eight-cylinder engines, to provide an auditory experience intended to replicate the "growl" of a classic Bentley. The company describes this as a way to add "emotion" to the driving experience and appeal to both traditionalists and younger demographics. While the vehicle is marketed as Bentley’s most accessible model, its starting price remains firmly in the luxury segment. The investment in the Crewe facility is presented as a strategic effort to modernize the brand while maintaining its domestic manufacturing footprint.