In True Bentley Style: Company Rejects Simulated Engine Noise in EVs and Records a Live Orchestra Instead

Rather than pumping artificial V8 rumbles through the speakers, Bentley brought in musicians to compose an interactive symphony for its first electric SUV, the Torcal.

Every luxury automaker faces a dilemma when transitioning to electric power: without the roar of an engine, the familiar drama that justifies the price tag vanishes. BMW tackled the issue by enlisting composer Hans Zimmer to craft the soundscapes for its EVs. Bentley, however, chose a far more extravagant path.

The Electric Successor to the Bentayga and the Secret to Perfect Rhythm

The brand's first fully electric SUV—the Bentley Torcal, which will eventually replace the V8 Bentayga—needed a truly distinct acoustic identity.

Bentley engineers asked themselves: what exactly makes the sound of a V8 iconic? To find out, they conducted an unusual experiment:

• Using parabolic speakers, they played a recording of a 6.75-liter V8 alongside a live performance by a drummer, asking listeners to compare their impressions.

• They discovered that the secret lay not in pitch or frequency, but in rhythm, energetic bursts, and microscopic imperfections that make a vehicle feel alive. Perfectly synthesized sound, by contrast, feels overly sterile and fake to human ears.

A Live Band Under the Hood

Armed with this revelation, Bentley decided to forego engine sound altogether. The company hired professional musicians to record an original composition featuring drums, viola, and bass guitar. Inspiration was drawn from all of the brand's legendary powertrains—from the supercharged cars of the 1930s to its classic V8s and W12s.

The interactive audio system has been dubbed the Bentley Dynamic Symphony:

• It adapts directly to throttle input: as you accelerate, the tempo and dynamics of the music build; as you ease off the pedal, the sound fades down.

• The result gives the driver not a simulated engine growl, but a personalized live ensemble responding to every movement of their foot.

Whether a drum solo can win over enthusiasts accustomed to a classic V8 rumble remains to be seen. However, the British brand's unconventional approach is certainly one to admire.