Bentley’s First EV Won’t Fake Engine Noise, It Will Use Drums

Bentley’s first EV is around the corner, and we finally know what it’ll sound like. Yes, you read that correctly. Most electric performance cars try to make up for the lack of engine noise by creating synthetic sounds.

Some lean into futuristic effects, like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, while others attempt to recreate the rumble of a combustion engine. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door uses an artificial V8 soundtrack, and the Lexus TZ even features simulated V10 sounds that could eventually make their way into the upcoming electric LFA.

Bentley, however, has taken a very different approach.

Bentley is Replacing Engine Sounds With Music

The British luxury marque has revealed that its first electric SUV, the Torcal, will use a specially composed soundtrack inspired by music, with drums playing the leading role. According to Bentley, engineers studied some of the brand’s most iconic engines, including its supercharged powerplants from the 1930s, the legendary 6.75-liter V8, and the now-retired W12.

Rather than focusing on the mechanical tone itself, they discovered that much of a V8’s emotional appeal comes from its rhythm. To recreate that feeling, Bentley recorded a V8 in a studio before developing what it calls the Bentley Dynamic Symphony. As the company explains, the soundtrack is not intended to imitate an engine but “to evoke the same feelings.” Drums provide the heartbeat of the soundscape, while a viola and bass guitar add what Bentley describes as a “powerful and emotive” character. The soundtrack also responds to driver inputs, increasing in tempo under acceleration before calming as the vehicle slows.

Bentley's First EV Arrives This September

While the Rolls-Royce Spectre has already established itself as one of the first ultra-luxury EVs, many other high-end luxury brands have been slower to embrace electrification. The Torcal will be Bentley’s first all-electric production model and will make its global debut on September 23 in London. Measuring around 5 meters long, it will slot below the Bentley Bentayga in the lineup, much like the Macan sits beneath the Cayenne in the Porsche lineup.

Speaking of, the Torcal will share much of its underlying technology with the upcoming electric Cayenne, while its design will be influenced by the EXP 15 Concept. Built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture developed by Audi and Porsche, Bentley’s SUV is expected to use a 113 kWh battery capable of charging at up to 390 kW, allowing a 10–80% recharge in under 16 minutes. Bentley has not confirmed final power figures, but the Torcal may share similar power figures to the all-electric Porsche Cayenne Turbo S: 1,139 hp and 1,106 lb-ft of torque.

A Symphonic Electric SUV

With a targeted range of more than 300 miles, the Torcal won't chase headline-grabbing battery figures. Bentley design director Robin Page previously explained: “Our customers are basically telling us that 300-350 miles is that sweet spot. Beyond that, they’ll use the private jet.” For comparison, the far more affordable BMW iX5 can travel nearly 600 miles on a charge, according to leaked documents.

The Torcal is expected to cost between $250,000 and $300,000 when it reaches showrooms. Whether buyers embrace a drum-powered soundtrack instead of a traditional V8, and whether they will be interested in an opulent all-electric SUV in a slowing EV market remains to be seen.

View the full article