Luxury carmaker Bentley has unveiled its first fully electric car, the Torcal SUV, after investing £350m to upgrade its factory in Cheshire, England. The new production line at the site, which has been Bentley's headquarters since 1946, will build the Torcal SUV. This investment is expected to support 4,000 high-value local jobs in Crewe. The company plans to produce the Torcal SUV on a brand-new production line at the site.
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade said the Torcal would strengthen automotive supply chains, as Bentley is supplied by more than 700 businesses, including 82 within a 50-mile radius of its base. The announcement comes as the UK motor industry faces strong headwinds, with JLR recently announcing large-scale job cuts and manufacturers looking for new avenues to grow their businesses. Despite announcements of new electric models, there have been calls to slow the switch to a fully EV future.
The Torcal SUV features a 113kWh battery that gives it a range of up to 375 miles and can charge from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes using a 400kW charger. The company said the Torcal S model would also be its most powerful car yet, with a top speed of 162mph and the fastest-accelerating from standstill, reaching 60mph in 2.8 seconds. In comparison, the standard Torcal model can travel at up to 155mph and takes 3.3 seconds to accelerate to 60mph.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Bentley's chairman and chief executive, described the Torcal as "one of the best Bentleys ever" and said it had been designed to combine luxury with electric technology. The new production line is inside one of the Crewe site's original factory buildings dating from 1938, which previously housed the company's machining shop and later its research and development workshop.
The production line has been stripped and fitted with a new floor designed to allow autonomous guided vehicles to move cars through the production process. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the investment would support high-value local jobs in Crewe and described Bentley's £350m investment as "the third win in just seven days" for Britain's automotive industry.
Reynolds' statement follows recent investments announced by McLaren and Nissan. The government said it was investing £7.5bn to support a transition to electric vehicles, with plans to phase out new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. This move aims to boost the UK's electric vehicle industry and reduce carbon emissions.
The Torcal SUV is a significant addition to Bentley's lineup, offering a luxurious and environmentally friendly option for customers. With its impressive range and performance capabilities, the Torcal is poised to make a strong impact in the electric vehicle market. Key features of the Torcal include its range of up to 375 miles, top speed of 162mph, and 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds for the S model.
Key points
- Bentley invests £350m to upgrade its factory in Cheshire, supporting 4,000 high-value local jobs.
- The Torcal SUV features a 113kWh battery with a range of up to 375 miles and fast charging capabilities.
- The UK government invests £7.5bn to support a transition to electric vehicles, aiming to phase out new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
