Bentley unveils new supercar to be on the same platform as the Porsche Panamera
Bentley’s goal is to increase global annual sales to 20,000 vehicles in 2020. Global sales in 2014 were 11,020 vehicles, and Bentley is planning to launch more new products to stimulate sales. Wolfgang Duhamer, chairperson and CEO of Bentley, said that after the launch of the SUV model, a two-seater supercar and a traditional convertible will also be launched. At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley unveiled the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car. Worldcarfans have learned that the production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car is about to hit the market. This upcoming new supercar is built on the same platform as the Porsche Panamera.
Bentley’s new supercar is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MSB platform. Porsche’s new generation Panamera also comes from this platform. The Volkswagen Group has been promoting the modular platform in recent years. The MSB platform is the front/center + rear/four-wheel drive platform developed by the Volkswagen Group for large sports cars. The design of the modular platform can not only save the development cost of new cars, but also shorten the development time. In the future, Bentley’s replacement Continental GT and other models will also come from this new platform.
The entry-level model of the production version of the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept is expected to be equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine. The 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo engine currently installed on the Continental GT has a maximum output of 389kW (529 horsepower) and a super explosive power of 680Nm. In addition, the new car will also be equipped with a 6.0L W12 turbo engine with a maximum power of 433kW (590 horsepower) and a peak torque of 720Nm.
The competitors of this new supercar after the launch are mainly locked in the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, and Aston Martin will launch a Vengeance (revenge) model. Compared with the 6.3L naturally aspirated engine on the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Bentley’s new supercar has slightly less maximum power, but the 720Nm super torque has more powerful explosive strength.
In addition to launching a regular version of the model, Bentley also plans to launch a pure electric version of the new supercar. Wolfgang Duhanmo said that Bentley plans to provide two electric motors for the new electric supercar and use an all-wheel drive system. The new car can reach a maximum power of 373kW, a top speed of 322km/h, and a range of up to 500km under comprehensive operating conditions.