Third generation Bentley Continental and 2016 Porsche Panamera likely to use common platform

The Third generation Bentley Continental and 2016 Porsche Panamera to are likely to use common platform. A report from Edmunds suggests that both cars will make use of a custom version of parent company Volkswagen’s MSB platform that is currently being developed by Porsche. The MSB (Modular Standard Platform) when put in production, will be standard platform for all front –engined, rear wheel drive cars under the VW umbrella.

The report suggests that both cars will have their drive trains installed close to the front bulkhead in a bid to improve balance at higher speeds. The platform is expected to use a heavy mix of high strength steel and aluminium in a bid to shed weight from the cars. However, the overall design of the vehicles is expected to continue due to it (the design) offering a low centre of gravity. 

Both vehicles are expected to make use of the hybrid technology being developed by VW in some form or other. This means smaller or turbo charged engines mated to one or more electric motors. It is likely that VW wants to reduce the number of platforms in a bid to cut costs as well as make its facilities multi-functional- produce multiple brands under pinned by the same platform from one facility itself.     

Source: Edmunds via WCF