The teaser campaign for the Torcal, the first-ever Bentley all-electric vehicle, is ramping up, and today, the British automaker provided a new glimpse of the crossover, specifically its new interior and the materials used therein. While an all-electric product marks a departure from traditional internal combustion for Bentley, everything else about the Torcal will feel just like any other car made in Crewe, and that means a gorgeous cabin dressed in the finest materials available. Even more preferable would be for the EV to approach luxury with a view to innovation, and the Torcal does just that.
Bentley Torcal EV Brings New Fabric, Wood, And Metal
Bentley says the new Torcal will still embrace the use of leather and wood, but those seeking something new will be catered to as well, starting with the introduction of Merino wool. In the fashion world, this material is desirable for its softness and warmth, but with butts and backs moving back and forth and side to side over seating surfaces, wool hasn’t historically provided the durability required by automotive applications until now, so in partnership with Fox Brothers, a Somerset, England-based cloth maker that has been working with wool since the 1700s, Bentley has developed a weave that gives us “the world’s first 100 percent Merino wool automotive fabric capable of meeting the exacting demands of a luxury vehicle.” Despite its resilience and robustness, the fabric managed to achieve 100 percent certification under the Responsible Wool Standard, and Bentley has added six new interior colorways to match.
Also new to Bentley and making its debut on the Torcal is Ombre Veneer, which combines sustainably sourced walnut off-cuts with recycled paper. Over 1,000 individual layers are carefully selected and then pressed together. This mass of arboreal material is then sliced to less than a millimeter in thickness; the end product lets four shades of walnut (deep black, dark smoke, light smoke, and natural walnut) flow together, creating a unique pattern for every vehicle. Another new addition is Sunburst Aluminium by Mulliner, reinterpreting Bentley’s traditional engine-turned aluminum dashboards with a special three-way brush pattern. At first glance, it almost looks like a metal-interwoven carbon fiber.
Autoblog’s Take
Bentley’s teasers thus far have all highlighted how the all-electric Torcal will adhere to the same standards for luxury and quality as every other Bentley, and this one does more of that. Bentley is aware that the luxury EV market is cooling somewhat, and it’s aware that those buying a Bentley want more than just transport. These teasers indicate the British brand wants people to view the Torcal as a real Bentley in every way, providing more of the same opulence customers have come to expect despite the adoption of a novel powertrain. Will it be a success? A lot of that depends on the styling, not just the capability of the Torcal, so we’ll have to wait for the reveal on September 23 to cast a verdict.
