Bentley Creates Handcrafted 'Bentley Dynamic Symphony' for Torcal Using Live Musicians
Bentley has crafted a unique propulsion sound for its upcoming Torcal model, called 'Bentley Dynamic Symphony', using real instruments to evoke the rhythm and emotion of its historic V8 engines.
- 2026
What Happened
Bentley's sound engineers recorded and analyzed a V8 engine in a studio, discovering that rhythm, not pure mechanical tone, was central to its appeal. An experiment with parabolic speakers comparing a V8 and a live drummer revealed striking similarities in energy and cadence.
The team also noted that internal combustion engines have subtle imperfections that lend a human quality. Inspired by this, world-renowned musicians created an original sound for the Torcal using actual instruments rather than synthetic reproduction.
- Drums
- Viola
- Bass guitar
The resulting soundtrack responds to driver inputs, heightening engagement, and is designed to emulate the presence of Bentley's iconic V8 while being modern and unmistakably Bentley.
Why this matters
This demonstrates how traditional luxury automakers are reinventing the sensory experience for electric vehicles, which lack engine noise. By using live musicians and focusing on rhythm rather than imitation, Bentley maintains an emotional connection for drivers, potentially setting a new standard for EV sound design among premium brands.
Terms in This Story
- Torcal
- Bentley's upcoming electric model, the first to feature a handcrafted propulsion sound.
- Bentley Dynamic Symphony
- The name of the custom sound system created for the Torcal, using real instruments.
- Propulsion sound
- An artificially generated sound for electric vehicles to provide acoustic feedback to the driver.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.