Bentley once promised EVs would form an undisputed pillar of its new vehicle business with its gas powered models eventually giving way to EVs. However, shifting market conditions forced the ultra-luxury car maker to backtrack and combustion power continues to rule the Bentley kingdom. But those times are now set to slowly change with the introduction of the Torcal.

Bentley’s first EV is not a Pokemon

The Torcal (not to be confused with the similarly named fire type Pokemon Torkoal) will be the brand’s first true EV with the model being an SUV which will be smaller than the current generation Bentayga. Up until this point, Bentley didn’t have a name for it with the firm always referring to it as an “Urban EV”.

The name also follows the trend of other Bentley names, and it comes from a landmark with the Torcal sharing its name with the El Torcal de Antequera in Andalusia, Spain. The teaser image itself keeps the bulk of the EV firmly in the shadows, but look for the SUV to embrace a traditional SUV layout with a tailgate simliar to the Bentayga’s, and some design elements from the EXP15 concept. The company said the Torcal’s platform is designed from the ground up to be EV only, and it will not be re-engineered to have a combustion engine.

No word on performace yet

Bentley also chose to keep performance data for the Torcal close to the vest. However, wes suspect the Porsche Cayenne Electric will contribute some of its performance bits to the Bentley since it’s also in the broader Volkswagen sphere of influence. In the Porsche, it’s most potent setup produces over 1100 combined horsepower and was tuned for maximum performance.

If this is the case, look for the Torcal to get as close to that figure as posible but with Bentley’s always being known for infusing more comfort into the driving experience, look for the Torcal to perhaps have a softer suspension tune and tweaked software to make the performance more approachable.

When can we buy one?

Thankfully, the wait won’t be too long, with Bentley saying it will formally debut the model on September 23rd at an event in London. With Bentley already being forced to scrap the more ambitious elements of its EV plan, the Torcal will be the only EV in the near future for the brand.

Look for the Torcal to be closely monitored by Bentley’s bean counters as the brand will be watching the SUV’s sales numbers to see if there is any ground to give the Torcal more EV powered siblings to help carve a bigger presence in the EV wars.