Charming and hilariously fast though it may be, there's no escaping the fact that the
Bentley Continental GT
is feeling a little long in the tooth right now. A replacement is on the way and, believe it or not, this is the first look at it.
Hang on, something isn't right...
A Bentley Continental GT disguised as a Porsche Panamera is indicative of the
new VW Group line up
, where Bentley, Porsche and Bugatti form a brand group dealing with the 'sportscar and mid-engine toolkit'. This car is believed to be testing on the MSB 'modular standard drive train system' platform; in the same way that the modular MQB underpins a range of smaller VW cars, expect MSB to be adaptable and used for the bigger sports cars.
According to our super sleuth spy photographers, this car had British numberplates and was registered to Bentley. The proportions are clearly out for a Panamera, the wheelbase shorter and the arches engorged to accommodate wider tracks. Note too the big intakes at the front; additional cooling for a new turbo engine perhaps? Or a hybrid? Apparently the spoiler remained fixed during the test; rather ostentatious for a Bentley if you ask us...
The next Continental GT is due in 2017 so expect more details to follow as the launch approaches. Will the W12 make it to the next generation? Will footballers still adore them? To be answered soon!
Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien