Bentley has launched the Torcal, its first fully electric SUV, at its Crewe factory in Cheshire. The new model will be produced on a brand‑new line inside a 1938 building that once housed the company’s machining shop.
The move follows a £350m investment from the government, which Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said will support 4,000 high‑value local jobs. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade added that the Torcal would strengthen automotive supply chains, with more than 700 suppliers, 82 of them within 50 miles of Crewe.
Engineered to blend heritage with cutting‑edge technology, the Torcal comes with a 113kWh battery that offers up to 375 miles (600 km) on a single charge. It can be charged from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes using a 400kW charger. The S model will top out at 162 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, while the standard version reaches 155 mph and 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.
Dr Frank‑Steffen Walliser, Bentley’s chairman and chief executive, called the Torcal “one of the best Bentleys ever” and highlighted that it was “created by hand by people who care, using the best available materials and technology to blend heritage with cutting‑edge innovation.”
The announcement comes amid a broader push in the UK motor industry toward electric vehicles, with JLR announcing large‑scale job cuts and manufacturers seeking new growth avenues. The government has earmarked £7.5bn to support a transition to electric vehicles and plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
Reynolds described the investment as “the third win in just seven days” for Britain’s automotive sector, following £500m from McLaren and £170m from Nissan.
