Bentley SUV to Join Touareg, Cayenne and Q7 on Shared MLB Platform
Volkswagen Group will base the upcoming Bentley SUV and next Touareg, Cayenne and Q7 on the MLB architecture, aiming for lighter, more efficient luxury SUVs by 2016.
Volkswagen Group will build the production Bentley SUV on the same MLB platform as the next generations of the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg. The move, set for the 2016 model year, is intended to streamline development and manufacturing across the group’s luxury SUV range.
The MLB platform, already underpinning the Audi Q7, uses aluminium to reduce weight by up to 350 kg compared to its predecessor. This should help improve efficiency and dynamics across all models using the architecture. The shared platform will allow each brand to tailor its SUV to its own requirements, with Bentley expected to offer a much higher level of luxury and bespoke features than its Volkswagen Group siblings.
Bentley SUV to lead new luxury push
The Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, both due for new generations, will also switch to the MLB platform. This standardisation is expected to yield cost savings in development and production, while still allowing each brand to differentiate its models through design and equipment. For more detail on Porsche’s approach to platform sharing, seePorsche to Share Platform with Volkswagen Models.
What the shared platform means for buyers
For buyers, the MLB platform should mean lighter, more efficient SUVs with improved handling and performance. Bentley’s entry will offer a new level of luxury in the segment, while the Q7, Cayenne and Touareg will benefit from the same structural improvements. Each model will retain its own engine and equipment options, but the underlying architecture will be common across the range.
