Porsche keeps V8 faith with new twin-turbo

Porsche has released full details of the new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that will replace the current 4.8-litre TTV8 in flagship Panameras and Cayennes.

Developed with help from Audi, the new engine has been created to be part of a new modular range of V6 and V8 engines.

The first engine in the new V6 and V8 family will be a 3.0-litre V6 that’s set to power the new Audi S4 that was first revealed in March at the Geneva motor show.

Despite being more than 800cc smaller than the engine it replaces, the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo produces an impressive 404kW/769Nm -- matching the old engine for torque but churning out an additional 22kW of power.

More impressive still is that peak torque is produced at a lowly 1960rpm -- up to 290rpm lower than the engine it replaces -- meaning the new engine will feel significantly stronger and more relaxed around town.

Later on an even more powerful 450kW/800Nm version of the 4.0-litre is expected to arrive to power the Turbo S versions of both the Panamera and Cayenne.

To help cut fuel use, the 90-degree V8 features a cylinder deactivation system that can effectively halve the engine's displacement over 950-3500rpm. This is claimed to cut fuel consumption by 30 per cent.

Porsche also claims the new V8 has been engineered for use with a hybrid system.

The German car-maker has also announced that the new engine has been designed to fit both the MLB platform, which underpins the Audi Q7, and Porsche’s own MSB vehicle architecture, which the Panamera sedan and Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur are based on.

MLB cars come with an eight-speed automatic while some MSB-based vehicles get the option of an all-new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

To help share the costs of the new twin-turbo V8’s development the new engine is also expected to be used in the Audi A6, A8, Q7 and forthcoming Lamborghini Urus, as well as the Bentley Bentayga and Continental GT.