Bentley’s first pure-electric model, the Torcal, won’t officially debut until September, but the automaker has already started teasing details about the ultra-luxurious crossover SUV. One of the more intriguing hints involves how it will sound.
This isn’t your typical whirring EV, but rather a machine aimed at crafting a new “sonic identity” rooted in a history of potent V-8 engines.
According to the automaker, engineers wanted to bring a little familiarity to the Torcal by way of its simulated exhaust sound.
The V-8 is deeply tied to the company’s identity — whether it’s the traditional 6 ¾-liter or a more recent twin-turbocharged unit, that grumble has been a defining characteristic of the brand. But simply playing recorded engine sounds through speakers wasn’t the plan.
Bentley’s Approach: Rhythm Over Tones
Instead, the company enlisted world-renowned musicians to develop what it calls the Bentley Dynamic Symphony. It says its research found that rhythm is a more important element than mechanical tones when it comes to what makes an eight-cylinder appealing.
Using two massive parabolic speakers and moving sound between them, the team discovered that slight imperfections in the firing order of combustion engines mimic the natural flow of a human drummer.
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This insight drove the development.
By mimicking rhythms rather than tones, the company believes the Torcal’s not-an-exhaust setup will capture the same emotional appeal as a traditional engine without resorting to synthesized combustion sounds.
The challenge for any automaker moving to electric powertrains is preserving the emotional connection that drivers have with internal combustion engines. Bentley’s approach — focusing on rhythm rather than replicating exact combustion tones — suggests a shift in thinking about how artificial engine sounds can evoke the same response.
It’s a gamble that relies on psychology as much as acoustics.
It could set a new standard if it works.
Learning from Previous Attempts
This isn’t the first time an automaker has tried to simulate a V-8 exhaust note in an electric vehicle. Mopar’s Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust attempted to blast V-8-esque tones through external speakers, but the result left many enthusiasts laughing at the outcome.
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The company’s effort appears to take a different approach, focusing on the underlying rhythm rather than trying to replicate the exact sound. The company is clearly aware of the skepticism that surrounds artificial exhaust notes.
Enthusiasts are often critical of such details.
They consider the lack of a true exhaust note a notable part of the driving experience. But with a few weeks left before the Torcal’s debut, we’ll have to wait to hear what the Bentley Dynamic Symphony actually sounds like.
For better or worse, it’s expected to be unlike anything currently on the market. The author of the source material admits being open to giving the new system a shot, noting that while past attempts have been mocked, the company’s approach might be different enough to succeed. The Torcal itself marks the company’s entry into the electric vehicle market, and it is clearly working to maintain its character through sound.
We’ll know more in September.
