- Bentley has shared an early glimpse inside its first electric vehicle, the Torqal.
- This posh EV has a curved touchscreen similar to the Porsche Cayenne Electric.
- Thankfully, we can see several traditional switches underneath it.
Like any new product, the path to the Bentley Torqal’s unveiling has been filled with teasers, some of which are more interesting than others. The latest preview focuses on how diamond patterns have been a recurring theme in Crewe models since the 1920s. Its inaugural EV will honor the age-old tradition with a floating diamond grille and diamond-stitched seat upholstery. However, something else caught our attention.
The one-minute teaser video gives us a glimpse inside, where a curved touchscreen takes center stage. Bentley is staying tight-lipped about the infotainment, but we will say that it reminds us of the Cayenne EV’s Flow display. This is hardly a coincidence as the Torkal is expected to have close ties to Zuffenhausen’s big electric SUV.
Porsche is fitting a curved 12.3-inch OLED panel that extends to the bottom of the center console, which appears to be the case here too. However, there are some differences in Torkal’s dashboard layout. We can see more physical controls beneath the brilliant screen, including a large rotary knob that you won’t find inside the electric Cayenne. There are also plenty of switches on the left and right sides of the dial, more than on its German cousin.
The details of the curved screen can be seen in the blink of an eye in the adjacent teaser video, but we imagine it’s not as large as the one installed in the Porsche Cayenne EV. Like its sister model, the Torqal features a fully digital instrument cluster. One could argue that Bentley could have gone the extra mile by installing analog dials and hands for a more upscale look to justify the premium that its EV will inevitably get, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Bentley has not been generous with details about the Torqal, saying only that it will be slightly smaller than the Bentayga and that a combustion engine is not planned. The dual-motor setup fitted to the Cayenne Turbo is good for 1,140 hp, while the Porsche’s 113-kilowatt battery supports 400-kilowatt charging and provides approximately 400 miles (642 kilometers) of WLTP range.
Whether Torkal will have the same numbers remains to be seen, but it will certainly cost a lot more. With pricing for the Cayenne Turbo Electric already starting at $165,350, the Bentley’s sticker price will easily start at $2. Pricing details and all technical specifications should be revealed at the world premiere in London on September 23.
Photo by: Bentley
Photo by: Chris Rosales/Motor1
Motor1’s Opinion: The curved touchscreen is unlikely to be one of the Torqal’s main selling points, but it will give Bentley fans something to talk about. Having dedicated physical controls for frequently used functions should make it easier for the anti-screen rich crowd to live with an ultra-luxury EV.
Although there are many similarities between the Torqal and the Cayenne EV, we expect the Bentley to lean more towards luxury and comfort, leaving Porsche to put the S in the SUV.
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