Panamera's new Continental link

Porsche’s limo is set to share underpinnings with a Bentley. The second generation Panamera, due in 2016, will retain its luxury liftback configuration, but will be based on all-new architecture shared with other Volkswagen Audi Group vehicles, principally, the next Bentley Continental.

Porsche is in charge of the development of the new architecture. Designed to underpin front-engined cars with rear or all-wheel drive running gear, VAG has dubbed the platform, MSB (Modular Standard Platform).

“We will have an architecture that is related to today’s Panamera so all that makes up a Panamera will also be in that future architecture. But it will be all-new,” Porsche’s Panamera product line chief Dr Gernot Doellner told motoring.com.au.

“The architecture is close to what you see here but the technology or parts will be new.”

The more handsome look of the next generation Panamera and a possible shooting brake body style have been previewed by the Sport Turismo concept shown at the Paris motor show last September.

But Dr Doellner, speaking at the launch of the mid-life update of the first generation Panamera in Germany, said there were important targets to achieve under the skin as well, including weight reduction across the range. The current Panamera starts at 1770kg for the entry-level, rear-drive petrol V6.

“Weight is one topic,” he confirmed.

“As today’s Panamera, you will see an intelligent multi-material mix.

“To stay with the Porsche-typical seating position is really essential. And the weight distribution front to rear, we are working on the further optimisation of that.”

Fellow Volkswagen Group member Audi’s family of large luxury sedans and liftbacks will not fall under the MSB umbrella. Instead they will employ what’s called MLB (Modular Longitudinal Matrix) which is a front/all-wheel drive architecture.

“Audi has an architecture which is for front-wheel drive, so the engine is in front of the front axle and today’s Panamera and also the future MSB we have the engine much more to the back of the car. More than 200mm [further back],” Doellner explained.

Doellner also revealed that Porsche was working to ensure the Panamera’s already complex engine lineup -- and any Bentley specific drivetrains -- could be accommodated by MSB.

Currently, the Panamera is powered by a 3.6-litre V6 petrol, 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, 3.0-litre supercharged V6 (hybrid), new 3.0-litre bi-turbo-petrol V6, naturally-aspirated 4.8-litre V8 and turbo V8. The Continental range includes a 4.0-litre V8 and 6.0-litre W12 bi-turbo engines.

Doellner explained the final decision on what engines would go into the new Panamera and the next Continental (due toward the end of the decade) had yet to be decided. But he stressed that while Porsche owned the architecture, Bentley’s requirements for the Continental had been baked in.

“Within the modular system of the Volkswagen Group, they [Bentley] are their own brand, their own identity. We work together in that phase of the project where we develop a shared platform. Bentley report their requirements to us and we develop a platform that considers both Porsche and Bentley requirements.”?

Doellner confirmed the second generation Panamera would continue with the liftback body style and two wheelbases. The long-wheelbase Executive (recently added to the current Panamera line-up in left-hand drive only) is expected to be available in right-hand drive with the new car.

A number of body styles have been posited for the new car including sedan, coupe and convertible, in addition to the liftback and the Sport Turismo.

Doellner spoke encouragingly about the wagon but did not rule out other options.

“The worldwide reaction is quite positive so we have that [Sport Turismo] option under evaluation. But we haven’t taken that decision yet.

“There are a lot options and we will see whatever is appropriate to our brand,” he said.

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