The 2017 Porsche Panamera is to get launched and when it does it will be the first ever car to use the new MSB platform developed by the company.
The modular standard drivetrain uses transverse engine and it supports both front and all-wheel drive. The platform is an ideal upgrade for models like Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3 and other cars in the series. The designers clarified that the new platform is highly versatile and is cost efficient allowing them to seamlessly integrate it in all future cars from the Porsche stable.
With the new toolkit,the engineers can now share the performance and power rendered by the transmission, axle, steering, engine and the HVAC system to provide collective efficiency. In other words, the platform will make use of all the expensive components on-board at the same time deliver something truly amazing.
The new MSB toolkit is divided into three different areas, the front body, rear body and the middle floor. They are individual from one another and the manufacturer can choose to make them using different materials. The dimensions of the individual area of the platform can be modified according to the car they are working in. If it is a SUV, the middle floor can be made bigger to offer more space for the passengers while increasing the rear body could lead to increased cargo area.
Such level of versatility makes the MSB platform an able choice for many of Porsche vehicles as well as models offered in the Volkswagen family. The same team developed and pioneered the MLB, MQB platforms in the year 2011. Now, they have come up with the new MSB toolkit. Along with the 2017 Porsche Panamera, the Bentley Continental GT is about to use the MSB platform. The Porsche model is powered by a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 engine while the Bentley uses a 6.0-liter W12 engine.
Both these models are mounted on completely new versions of the MSB platform. The Bentley edition uses a platform that is primarily designed for heavier vehicles and bigger powertrains. Porsche has also confirmed that an extended, long version of the Panamera is coming within a year. Another model with the MSB is in the cards but it has not been confirmed yet and might take time before it goes into production.
If successful, soon many Porsche models and other cars in the Volkswagen family will be upgraded to the new platform.
