The next Continental GT and Flying Spur could move to an Audi-Porsche electric platform.
Unless youâve been living under a rock for the past few months, youâre aware the Volkswagen Group is reportedly shuffling things under its huge umbrella. Rumor has it Rimac will buy Bugatti while the fate of the Lamborghini and Ducati brands could be decided next month. The words âtechnology partnershipsâ and ârestructuringâ have appeared in a Reuters report, and now weâre hearing there could be one more major change at VAG.
According to Automobilwoche, a sister publication of Automotive News Europe, Audi will take control of the Bentley brand as early as next year. Sources close to the matter are saying the Ingolstadt-based marque will be tasked to oversee Creweâs technological and financial activities from 2021. Audiâs role within the VW Group has already been increased when you take into consideration the Four Rings are now leading the automotive conglomerateâs R&D efforts.
Following a turnaround plan and record-breaking sales, the British luxury brand returned to making money in 2019 by posting a âŹ65-million profit. However, this year isnât looking great due to the impact coronavirus has had on the automotive industry. Brexit is also a worrying factor as Bentleyâs CEO Adrian Hallmark warned a no-deal Brexit could cut profits by a quarter.
The report from Automobilwoche goes on to say the next-generation Continental GT and its Flying Spur sedan sibling could ride on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) currently being co-developed by Audi and Porsche. Interestingly, future Bentley models are said to have âless blingâ in an effort to promote âsustainable luxuryâ while making sure theyâre visually different enough from the mechanically related Audis.
