Porsche Panamera : next-gen sports sedan due in 2017, new engines planned

Speaking with Autocar, Porsche R&D head Wolfgang Hatz confirmed “Porsche will have its own new V8 that will be common to the [Volkswagen Group's] new MSB platform".

“It’s [part of] a family for the next 10 years of cars," Hatz told the UK publication.

Compared with the Porsche-developed 3.0- and 3.6-litre six- and 4.8-litre eight-cylinder powerplants of the current first-gen-based Panamera range, the new engines will be the first for the luxury sedan since Volkswagen took full control of the German luxury sports car maker in August 2012.

The modular MSB architecture – intended for front-engined, rear- and all-wheel-drive models – is also expected to underpin Bentley vehicles from 2017.

All future Panamera production will be completed entirely in Leipzig from 2016, including body production and painting. Since the four-door sedan’s launch in 2009, Panamera body shells have been produced and painted at Volkswagen’s Hanover plant before being shipped to Porsche’s Saxony plant for pre- and final assembly.

A rumoured two-door Panamera coupe – possibly equipped with both fixed and folding roofs – remains unconfirmed for production at this stage.