Bentley is preparing to build its new Torcal model at its headquarters in Crewe, England, bringing together traditional craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing technology on a new production line.
The fourth model line in Bentley’s range is being built within one of the original buildings at the Crewe factory, which dates back to 1938. The facility has been extensively redeveloped to create a purpose-built production area for the new vehicle.
The production line forms part of more than £350m of investment in Bentley’s Crewe operations, which also includes a new paint shop and wider upgrades across the site.
Historic factory gets new production role
The building previously housed Bentley’s machining shop before becoming an R&D workshop. It has now been stripped and fitted with a precisely levelled floor to support the use of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs).
The vehicles will transport Torcals through the facility as they move through the production process, while the cars themselves will be built by hand.
Bentley said the production process combines generations of manufacturing expertise with advanced technologies, allowing the company to maintain its handcrafted approach while introducing new production methods.
The Torcal is also among the first models to benefit from Bentley’s new Design Studio in Crewe, which opened in 2025 following the redevelopment of another building dating from 1938.
UK supply chain supports new model
The Torcal is supported by a network of British suppliers, including Somerset-based Fox Brothers, which supplies the wool used in the vehicle’s interior.
The new production capability adds to Bentley’s wider manufacturing operations in Crewe, where more than 4,000 people are employed across a 521,111m² site.
The investment is part of Bentley’s longer-term programme to renew its Crewe manufacturing base while retaining the specialist skills associated with hand-built vehicles.
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