A new approach to sound in electric cars
Automakers developing electric vehicles constantly face one question: how to replace the emotional engagement that a great engine sound provides? Hyundai, Porsche, BMW, Dodge, and others have turned to synthesized engine sounds played through speakers. However, Bentley believes they are looking for the wrong answer. Instead of trying to replicate the sound of a real engine, the British luxury brand thinks a drummer could be the key to making its first electric car special.
Bentley Dynamic Symphony
Bentley calls the soundtrack for its upcoming fully electric SUV Torcal the “Bentley Dynamic Symphony.” Unlike many competitors, the company insists it is not trying to fool drivers into thinking they are behind the wheel of a V8. Instead, the goal was to convey the same emotional response that has defined its internal combustion engine cars for decades.
Beyond the engine
The reasoning behind this choice may be clearer than it seems at first glance. Bentley engineers recorded and analyzed their iconic V8 in a studio. Ultimately, they concluded that it was not the exhaust sound itself that was special, but the rhythm. This led the automaker to install two parabolic speakers. One played V8 recordings, while a drummer performed a part through the other.
Walking between them, engineers say they found similarities in the cadence, energy, and emotional impact of both. They also concluded that subtle imperfections, common to both drumming and internal combustion engines, help create a more authentic, human experience. Armed with these findings, Bentley did not set out to replicate the sound of an engine.
Strings instead of pipes
At this stage, Bentley commissioned musicians to create an original soundtrack using live instruments, including drums, viola, and bass guitar. The resulting sound responds to the driver’s throttle input, rising and falling during acceleration, aiming to convey the same sense of specialness that buyers expect from the brand’s V8 models. Bentley says the tempo increases during acceleration and slows down when the driver releases the pedal.
It’s hard to say how successful this will be, but there is no denying that the sound created will be unique. The entire approach is unique. Perhaps it will resonate with wealthy customers who love a symphony. Or perhaps the notes will ring hollow. Time will tell.
Torcal debut
The soundtrack is part of a larger puzzle Bentley is assembling for its first electric car, which will debut on September 23 in London. The Torcal will slot below the Bentayga, using the Volkswagen Group’s PPE electric architecture, the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne Electric. It is expected to feature dual-motor all-wheel drive, a 113 kWh battery, charging speeds of up to 390 kW, and a range of over 300 miles, with Bentley prioritizing serene real-world practicality over headline-grabbing numbers.
This approach to sound design could become a new standard for premium electric vehicles, as it offers not an imitation of the past, but the creation of a unique identity. The rejection of synthesized engine sounds in favor of live music underscores Bentley’s desire to maintain an emotional connection with the driver, even in a fully electric future. Whether this experiment will be successful will be shown by the market’s reaction, but it is already clear that the company is making a bold bid for leadership in the audio design of electric cars.