Press Release (UNEDITED): The inspiration for the Torcal’s sound was Bentley’s own history of incredible engines. From the supercharged cars of the 1930s to the legendary 6¾-litre V8 and the mighty W12, Bentleys have been powered by many different engine configurations over the years. But they all share the same quality: accelerating in a Bentley is an immersive and emotional experience like listening to a grand orchestral performance. The sound of the Torcal had to create a similarly powerful connection.
With the V8 playing such a significant role in Bentley’s history, the development team recorded and analysed its sound in a studio environment. Their findings revealed that rhythm, rather than pure mechanical tone, was central to its emotional appeal. To test this further, the team conducted a unique experiment using parabolic speakers, playing a Bentley V8 on one side while a drummer performed on the other. Walking between the two sources revealed striking similarities in energy, cadence and emotional impact.
The exercise also highlighted an important characteristic of internal combustion engines: they are not perfectly uniform. Like a drummer, they contain subtle variations and tiny imperfections. These natural fluctuations introduce a distinctly human quality that contributes significantly to their emotional resonance.
With this insight, world-renowned musicians crafted an entirely original sound for the new Torcal – modern in execution and unmistakably Bentley, ‘Bentley Dynamic Symphony’ is not designed to replicate an engine, but to evoke the same feelings.
The Bentley Torcal’s soundtrack is unlike any other. Performed by skilled musicians, the powertrain’s sonic identity is created using real instruments, including drums, viola and bass guitar. Powerful and emotive, it echoes the character and presence of Bentley’s iconic V8 – and just like an engine, it responds to the driver’s inputs, heightening the engagement. It’s a distinctive voice for a new era of performance.
Notes to editors
- From W.O. Bentley, who founded Bentley Motors in 1919, to the current team of dedicated colleagues, the company’s extraordinary cars have always been designed and built by exceptional people using only the finest of materials.
From modest beginnings, Bentley has moved from strength to strength – in a relentless pursuit of both luxury and performance. W.O.’s vision continues to guide Bentley’s beliefs, actions and ambitions.
Located in Crewe, England and owned by the Volkswagen Group since 1998, Bentley Motors remains the definitive British luxury car company, crafting the world’s most desirable high performance grand tourers. Bentley’s colleagues design, engineer and handcraft five bespoke models: Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations and engineering expertise is unique to Bentley.
The luxury marque is creating a future driven by new technologies, materials, fuels and skills, in the pursuit of a progressive, new world: one in which the highest levels of luxury mobility are achieved with sustainable methods.
