VW May Use Porsche's Panamera Platform for Other Brands

Because of Porsche's soon-to-be-takeover by the Volkswagen Group, the path of both the manufacturers' upcoming models is yet to be decided. Recent informations comnig from within the company said that VW plans to share Panamera's platform with other VW brands.

Although the source didn't tell Inside Line which brands and what models would get the Panamera platform, the source revealed only that it won't be shared with Lamborghini. This information disperses rumors that circulated about Lamborghini using the Panamera platform for a potential 4-door supercar based on the Estoque concept.

The news could hint that the rear/four-wheel-drive platform could make its way in the Bentley, Bugatti or even the Audi line-up. Inside Line suggested Bentley could make use of the Panamera platform for its Continental GT, but they immediately rejected the possibility because of the differences in height between the two models that could make the choice unsuitable and because of the British brand's interest in reducing the weight of the Continental.

So in this regard, Bentley could very well opt for an Audi lightweight aluminum MLB structure instead of Porsche's steel platform of the Panamera.

According to UK's Car magazin,e the Panamera will be replaced from Porsche's line-up in 2017, but until then rumors say the German car manufacturer has plans to introduce a V6 petrol engine for the Panamera, derived form the company's current V8 powerhouse.

The next step is believed to be the introduction in 2011 of a hybrid version. Insiders also say there probably won't be a diesel version for the Panamera since large capacity V8 or V10 diesel engines offered by German rivals had little demand.