Bentley Torcal: 2028 Electric SUV Introduces Crystal Lighting and New Luxury Design
The 2028 Bentley Torcal emerges as the brand's inaugural all-electric SUV, seamlessly blending Bentley's iconic craftsmanship with innovative high-tech features. This new model showcases a distinctive design, including extensive crystal integration and a refined aesthetic that sets the stage for the future direction of Bentley's lineup. It represents a careful balance of heritage and cutting-edge automotive luxury.
The 2028 Bentley Torcal, Bentley’s first electric vehicle (EV), combines new electric technology with the brand’s 107-year tradition of craftsmanship and human-centred design. Described as a vehicle designed to engage the senses through crystals and drumbeats, the Torcal signals a new direction for Bentley while retaining elements of the marque’s established luxury identity.
Bentley’s decision to enter the EV market with an SUV is tied to the success of the Bentayga, which accounts for 45 percent of the brand’s sales, although the Torcal is both lower and shorter than its predecessor.
The Torcal draws design inspiration from the EXP 15 concept, particularly its upright front fascia, while introducing Bentley’s new signature lighting arrangement of four vertical lights inspired by the Bentley Continental T.
It is also the first Bentley to feature the brand’s updated winged logo, with the new design language expected to influence future models beyond the EV range. With a drag coefficient of 0.279, the Torcal combines its distinctive styling with aerodynamic efficiency, while its extensive use of crystal adds another layer to the vehicle’s visual identity.
One of the Torcal’s most unusual features is its use of 76 literal cut crystals in three sizes across the nose, made possible by the absence of a conventional radiator and sourced from Cumbria-based crystal-maker Cumbria. Set behind a single composite plane similar to the material used in headlights, the crystals light up when the vehicle is unlocked, creating a sequence in which beams of light appear to ricochet across the surface.
The crystal treatment continues at the rear, where the slim taillights feature diamond-shaped faceting, while an “endless bonnet” strip of metal trim runs from the nose across the beltline to the C-pillar, available in black or silver and accentuating the vehicle’s rear haunches. Despite its futuristic design, the Torcal retains a traditional rear trunk and a front trunk large enough for a small carry-on suitcase, alongside two new exterior colours, Electrum Satin and Astral.