Bentley Motors has chosen the name Torcal for its first 100% electric model, in homage to the natural site of Antequera (Málaga). The vehicle will be presented in London on September 23, 2026.
Bentley Motors has broken its tradition of exotic names to pay tribute to an Andalusian landscape. The British firm's first fully electric car will be called Torcal, in direct reference to the Natural Park of Torcal de Antequera, in the province of Málaga. The company announced this on Monday, confirming that the model will be the fourth line in the range, alongside the Continental GT, the Flying Spur, and the Bentayga.
From Antequera to Crewe: the origin of the name
The choice of name is not coincidental. Bentley has been inspired by unique natural sites for years to name its models: the Bentayga is named after a mountain in Gran Canaria, the Bacalar after a Mexican lagoon, and the Batur after an Indonesian volcano. Now, the honour falls to El Torcal de Antequera, a spectacular karst landscape of limestone rock formations sculpted by erosion over millions of years.
According to the brand, the word "Torcal" shares a root with the Latin term torquere, which means "to twist" or "to turn", from which "torque" (motor force) also derives. This linguistic play connects with the philosophy of the new model: a smooth and effortless progression, characteristic of electric motors. "El Torcal represents constant evolution, like the landscape that bears its name," Bentley sources state.
The first electric Bentley in history
The Torcal will be the first 100% electric vehicle in the 107-year history of the company. Although Bentley has not revealed technical or bodywork details, the registration at the European patent office, carried out in January 2026, confirms that the name is protected for cars and for the entire electric ecosystem: charging cables and specific applications.
Bentley’s president and CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser, has stated that the Torcal "will seek to set new benchmarks in performance, comfort, and British craftsmanship." The model is expected to have an urban focus, although within the standards of large dimensions and exclusivity of the brand. With this launch, Bentley takes a key step in its total electrification plan for 2035, expanding its range from five to six models.
Local angle: pride of Málaga and tourism impact
The news has been met with enthusiasm in Antequera and throughout the province of Málaga. The Torcal de Antequera, declared a Natural Site and Special Protection Area for Birds, is one of the most visited sites in the region, with over 150,000 visitors a year. That a brand like Bentley, synonymous with luxury and exclusivity, has chosen this name represents a boost in tourism and international recognition.
The Antequera City Council has already expressed its satisfaction through social media, describing the choice as "an honour for our land." This is not the first time a municipality in Málaga has named a luxury vehicle: let us remember that the Bentley Bentayga was already inspired by a Canary Island site. But for the firm's first electric model to carry the name of a corner of the province is a source of local pride.
The global presentation of the Torcal will take place in London on September 23, 2026. Until then, Bentley will gradually release information about performance, range, and price. What is already clear is that when the car hits the market, it will carry a piece of Málaga's geography with it.
You may also like
