New Bentley Continental GT to share Panamera platform

The second generation of Porsche’s MSB platform is set to play an important role in the future of the carmaker and its Volkswagen sister company, Bentley. The platform is said to offer more flexibility than its predecessor, thanks to a larger number of track and wheelbase combinations.

The platform will underpin the Panamera in both standard and long-wheelbase (Executive) guises, as well as liftback and estate bodystyles. It is also being used for the all-new Bentley Continental GT coupé that will be launched next year, as well as a follow-up to the Continental GT Convertible and a Flying Spur replacement.

Earlier comments from former Porsche boss Matthias Müller suggested the MSB structure would also be used underneath a spiritual successor to the 928, but our sister publication Autocar UK has confirmed that development of this particular model is yet to begin in earnest.

“We’re exploring other avenues,” said Gernot Döllner, project leader for the new Panamera. However, with engineering activities at Porsche’s Weissach-based research facility already pushed to the limit with next year’s all-new Cayenne, as well as the next-generation 911, plans for a two-door coupé in the mould of the 928 have been put on hold.

Don’t rule out the MSB platform supporting another two-door coupé and a possible convertible, though. Indications are that Bentley boss Wolfgang Dürheimer is close to giving the go-ahead to a production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept revealed at the 2015 Geneva motor show, using a short-wheelbase version of the new platform.