Bentley's first EV aims to blend luxury with synthetic engine noise
Bentley's upcoming Torcal SUV, its first electric vehicle, offers a spacious interior and smooth ride. The automaker is experimenting with artificial V8 sounds to maintain brand authenticity. The vehicle shares a platform with the electrified Porsche Cayenne.
The Torcal, slated for a late-September debut, is built on a shared architecture with the electrified Porsche Cayenne. During a test drive of a camouflaged prototype, engineers emphasized a refined ride by modifying oil flow through adaptive dampers and tuning steering for precise centering, despite the vehicle being physically smaller than the current Bentayga.
To preserve brand character, Bentley crafted a synthetic engine soundtrack inspired by its 1980s V8 Turbo R. Instead of using a synthesizer, the audio track was derived from a live drum performance and mixed. Product line director Martin Page emphasized that digital elements are executed with the same attention to craftsmanship as the physical materials.
Bentley's move to electrify its lineup while retaining a synthetic V8 roar could influence how traditional luxury automakers appeal to existing customers and attract younger, tech-focused buyers. The strategy may normalize artificial engine sounds as a premium feature, potentially shaping consumer expectations for EV acoustics. Furthermore, sharing a platform with the Porsche Cayenne could make high-end electric SUVs more accessible, though the Torcal's focus on bespoke digital craftsmanship may set a new benchmark for in-car audio experiences.