Brief
Bentley adds synthetic soundtrack to its new Torcal electric car
Bentley’s Torcal EV replaces the absent engine roar with a bespoke synthetic sound designed to evoke classic driving emotions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Bentley unveiled the Torcal, its first fully electric vehicle, and paired it with a synthetic soundtrack built from drum recordings that imitate the brand’s historic eight‑cylinder engine, Creative Bloq reported on Oct 11, 2026.
What happened
The luxury automaker introduced the Torcal at a press event, noting that the EV lacks a combustion engine and therefore the traditional auditory feedback drivers associate with performance. To address this, Bentley commissioned a synthetic sound, described as a “startup noise” that replaces the engine purr.
What the report adds
Creative Bloq explains that the soundtrack was created by recording drums and live orchestral forces, deliberately incorporating “human imperfections” to make the sound feel organic. The article quotes Bentley’s own description: the sound is “not designed to replicate an engine, but to evoke the same feelings.”
What was said
Max De Lucia, co‑founder of sonic‑branding agency DLMDD, told Creative Bloq, “I wanted to hate it… I’m a petrolhead… but it’s actually really rather good. They’ve cared about it – thought about the human imperfections and embarked on recording with drums and live orchestral forces.” He added that the synthetic sound aims to give drivers the “emotional connection you get with a V8.”
How it came about
The move follows broader industry attempts to re‑engineer the auditory experience of electric cars, as manufacturers seek new ways to retain the “cinematic experience of driving.” De Lucia notes that while some EV sounds may mimic classic engine growls for novelty, Bentley chose to craft an entirely new auditory language for the Torcal.
Key facts
- Bentley’s Torcal is the brand’s first fully electric vehicle. (creativebloq.com)
- The car uses a synthetic soundtrack created from drum recordings and orchestral forces. (creativebloq.com)
- Bentley says the sound is intended to evoke the feelings of a V8 rather than mimic an engine. (creativebloq.com)
- Max De Lucia of DLMDD praised the soundtrack’s attention to human imperfections. (creativebloq.com)
Sources
- [1] creativebloq.com — originally reported as “How sonic design could save electric cars from their biggest weakness”
