The most powerful Bentley ever made uses this clever trick to mimic the iconic 6.75-liter V8 sound despite being an EV

Bentley joined the long list of manufacturers who decided their EVs – in this case the electric Bentley Torcal – should still come with some sort of ‘exhaust’ noise even though they don’t have an internal combustion engine.

But, crucially, the Torcal is the most powerful Bentley ever made, which is probably why they made it ‘loud’ rather than keeping it quiet.

But there’s a feature we should still mention.

Are these engineered exhaust noises going to be popular?

In general, EV buyers aren’t always enthusiastic about ‘fake’ exhaust notes.

Maybe it’s because they know they are not real, or maybe it’s because one of the key selling points (statistically) of EVs is that they’re quieter.

Either way, electric vehicles with engineered exhaust noises are generally received with a few raised eyebrows.

And it’s interesting to note that everyone is going about it differently, by the way.

For example, some manufacturers are employing musicians (including Hans Zimmer) to create exhaust notes that are fully distinct from the usual noise you’d hear from an internal combustion engine.

Ferrari did something else entirely by developing a symphony that comes from real vibrations.

There are minute microphones that capture vibrations and noises coming from moving components in the powertrain in real time, emphasize them, and turned them into a exhaust noise.

As for the British manufacturer, they’ve also created a specific tune for the Torcal.

But there’s a very good reason for that.

Introducing the Torcal

The Bentley Torcal is the brand’s first electric car, but it is also the most powerful ever made wearing the iconic winged badge.

That has to count for something.

Interestingly, this SUV is also slightly smaller and (surprisingly) slightly less expensive than the Bentayga.

This tells us something.

It tells us the British car maker doesn’t want this to be the next Bentayga; just an alternative to it.

But, despite being lacking a V8 or a V12 or a W12, this is still the most powerful Bentley ever made.

Hence why it comes with a dedicated exhaust note.

Bentley thought of everything

To replace the iconic acoustic experience of its outgoing V8 and W12 internal combustion engines, the automaker engineered a custom synthetic soundtrack.

Developed with musicians, the low-frequency propulsive sound mimics a rhythmic heartbeat that builds as the throttle is pressed.

The volume increases in Sport Mode, but – and this is a key feature – it can also be turned off completely for silent driving.

There’s certainly enough power to match the noise.

The Bentley Torcal generates 810 horsepower, while the Torcal S puts out a whopping 876 horsepower.

The ‘regular’ Torcal does 0-60 (with launch control) in 3.3 seconds, and the Torcal S reaches 60MPH from standstill in 2.8 seconds.

Ultimately, the automaker is sending a message with this vehicle.

It can be a comfortable, ultra-quiet SUV if you want it to be.

Or, alternatively, it can act as a reminder this is the most powerful Bentley ever made.