For years carmakers have struggled to retain the visceral feelings of a combustion-engined powertrain amidst the stifling silence of EVs. Bentley though has decided that precisely because they sound like nothing, why not make it sound like anything you want. Hence, the upcoming Bentley Torcal will literally roll to the beat of its own drums with a percussion soundtrack.
The conundrum is especially concerning among premium marques, as the opulent experience is a fine blend of aural, visual and tangible stimulations. Bentley would have been particularly mindful of replicating that sensory appeal, given its sporting heritage.
Rather than toe the line, it has decided to roll to the beat of its own drum, quite literally, as it engaged an orchestra to bang on some drums for the Torcal’s aural presence.
As Crewe prepares for the imminent arrival of its first EV in September, the Bentley boys have given us a tease of what it will sound like. Inspiration was drawn from their range of six-, eight- and twelve-cylinder mills but with the goal of innovating those sounds rather than imitating.
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When the Torcal does launch, hitting the accelerator lend the impression of stepping on a bass drum pedal instead. Bentley found sonic commonality between its previous engines in the form of a thump from a four-cycle exhaust stroke and the drumstick striking a bass drum.
The idea is for the drum line infused with a frisson of stringed instruments to replicate the tempo of an engine’s powerband with nearly imperceptible difference in rhythm. Nonetheless, the option to switch off the orchestra and just zone out in the signature silence of a luxury EV will definitely be the default option for most owners, we suspect.
RELATED: Bentley’s debut EV will not get an engine transplant, but future models up in the air
Given that luxury carmakers have perfected in muting any sound and subduing what little vibrations exist, simulating how their products sound may prove to be a discerning factor for buyers.
Will the future of luxury EVs sound like the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra riding on a bed of plush leather surrounded by the finest black walnut trim? It seems possible, and we are all for it so long as there is an option to also blare some Def Leppard from speakers on a whim.
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