Both Porsche and Bentley carry quite an illustrious motorsport history but the two brands went about to establish their reputation in very different ways. One would never think the two iconic brands would ever work together.
According to Autocar, a Porsche-developed platform will underpin all future Bentley models now that Volkswagen Group has taken over both Bentley and Porsche operations. Porsche was taken over by the German automaker this July.
Porsche engineers are working on a new Porsche Panamera derived modular platform. Known as the MSB, the premium platform will feature both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive layouts.
Porsche's advanced aluminum-steel composition stand to significantly lighten and improve the weight distribution of future Bentley models.
Details on the new MSB platform is limited but we expect it to adequately accommodate the traditional Bentley V12 powerplants. The aging 6 & 3/4 liter L-series V8 engine will retire by 2013 as the unit will require extensive and expensive re-engineering to meet the new Euro 6 regulations. We expect the upcoming Mulsanne Convertible to be the last Bentley model to use the iconic 6.75 V8 engine.
Given the new Bentley tie-up, one has to wonder whether a Continental-like future front-engine V8 Porsche GT two-door coupe is in the cards.
