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Volkswagen ponders Porsche Panamera platform

By Matt Brogan |

While the board of Volkswagen AG may have already voted to axe the Panamera from the Porsche line-up post merger, a report published by Edmunds today has said the four-door coupe’s platform will be used by at least one of the company’s other premium brands.

With so little clarification available we’re left wondering as to what the future may hold for a platform with a lifespan still some eight years long.

In the short term at least the answer is unclear and looking through the VW retinue of brands it’s hard to find an answer.

P09_0774

Audi already has a number of similar vehicles in production, or in the pipeline, and it seems very unlikely it would get the nod.

Then there’s Bentley, which could use the platform in its next Continental GT, but rumour has it this job will be filled by an aluminium platform from Audi in a bid to save weight.

Bugatti is also considering a four-door sports coupe, but with a final decision already close to production it also seems highly unlikely the Panamera platform will be used here either.

That leaves Lamborghini which has already stated that its Estoque will not use the Porsche platform either.

PanameraTurbo_9

So, as far as we see it and unless VW itself is going to do something less prosaic, the Panamera platform could be shelved, at least for the next few years.

That begs the question; will this ensure that the Panamera becomes Porsche’s ultimate modern-day collector’s item?


 

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  • Carfanatic

    Something to Rival BMW and Mercedes perhaps?

  • Gav

    I know a lot of people think this car is “ugly” or “out of proportion”, but, there is just something about this shape/car that I absolutely love! It’s so unique.

    If I had even anywhere close to the funds needed to get one of these, I’d shelve it in my garage in an instant.

  • billy_bob_119

    why shelve it? Sales are good in it, and the car is getting great reviews around Europe and America. I reckon that they should keep it as Aston martin has there new DB9 4 Door car coming out in a couple of months. If any car should be shelved it should be the ugly Porsche Cayenne.

  • Carfanatic

    They are shelving the Cayenne, so you can rejoice Billy Bob

  • billy_bob_119

    Thanks Carfanatic, i am now rejoicing thanks.

  • Carfanatic

    You’re welcome, now if I could get a job with VW I could leak all their secrets to Car Advice.

  • Shane

    What a load of nonsense!!

    The panamera platform cost over $1bil to develop so they will want to keep it as long as possible to get a decent return from it. Also, it is easily the best large car platform wihin the group and is much better than anything Bentley or Audi have or will have

    • Carfanatic

      Probably use it on the Bugatti Bordeaux if they ever choose the next production model.

    • Wheelnut®™

      A lot like Holden with the VE Platform… it too cost $1bn to develop and is the best RWD platform in the GM Line-Up

      Maybe VAG have plans for a S-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d Golf GTi with a Quad Turbo W12 and AWD.

  • Wheelnut®™

    Quote [Article]: “While the board of Volkswagen AG may have already voted to axe the Panamera from the Porsche line-up post merger, a report published by Edmunds today has said the four-door coupe’s platform will be used by at least one of the company’s other premium brands.”

    Why is it that CA can make reference to other automotive websites – such as Edmunds [insideline] but the car enthusiasts who comment on this site aren’t allowed to under the code of conduct… is it because they are scared that we will find out that’s where CA plagiarise most of their articles from and then claim to be “exclusive”?

  • Yanzo

    what does use the platform mean? use the chassis? or like make it look better? cause i don’t think it’s possible to make the panarama look better, it’s too ugly

  • Mike

    I understand VW will axe it only after it has run its course. They just are not going to build a renewd version under the Porsche label.

    • Carfanatic

      Correct, possibly even until 2017 in an effort to claw back the money spent on developing the vehicle.

  • PROJET L

    One name that needs to come back a Premium Czech car.
    As the world now has Skoda.

    TATRA!

    Think about it! redesign the body to make it less Porsche
    and put a huge friken fin up its back.

    Oh yeah and spend another 1 billion engineering the V8
    to hand out the back of the chassis.