The V12 turbodiesel from Audi’s Q7 SUV could soon be lurking behind a Bentley grille, if latest reports hold true.
Bentley is expected to reveal a replacement for its ageing Arnage this Autumn, and all the signs are that a tweaked version of the Q7’s V12 oil-burner will make an appearance in the next generation saloon.
With 500bhp and 738lb-ft, the Audi V12 TDI certainly has the right sort of performance credentials to satisfy the torque-hungry Bentley crowd. Whether the engine’s breeding will be considered blue-blooded enough to sustain the brand’s exclusive status remains to be seen.
According to reports from the Geneva show last week, Bentley is under pressure to make increasing use of the VW Group parts bins for its future models.
The current Continental shares a platform with the VW Phaeton, but we’re told the Conti’s 2011 replacement will use the latest Audi A8 as its starting point. Apparently the car will be longer, lighter and more powerful with up to 600bhp on offer from W12 powered Speed models.
While we're talking about the Continental, here are some pictures of an ‘aesthetic update’ package from Japan’s Premier4509. They’re offering 300 limited edition body kit packages that include a new front bumper, grille set, side skirts, rear bumper and spoiler, topped off by a set of split-rim alloys. Hmmmm.
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