Porsche reveals new twin-turbo V8

Porsche's new 4.0-litre twin-turbo unveiled. To be used in other VW Group vehicles including Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini models.

Porsche has revealed a brand new twin-turbo V8 that is set to debut in the next-generation Panamera Turbo and Cayenne Turbo. Not only that, the new V8 will also be shared with other VW Group vehicles like high-end performance cars from sister brands Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini.

The introduction of the new 4.0-litre V8 means that the current 4.8-litre V8 will hit the end of the road soon. The new powertrain is slightly down on power (542bhp vs 562bhp) but delivers 769Nm of peak-torque, which is 19Nm more than the outgoing engine. Porsche claims that the new twin-turbo will deliver equivalent levels of performance while also being 30 per cent more efficient, thanks to COD (cylinder-on-demand) fuel saving tech.

Since the new engine is based on the same modular platform as Audi’s new 3.0-litre V6 – first seen in the new-gen S4 – it will migrate to other VW Group vehicles as well. Like Audi’s unit, the new twin-turbo V8 is designed to fit in longitudinal architectures like the group’s MLB or Porsche’s MSB platform. The former supports FWD and AWD vehicles while the latter is meant for RWD and AWD cars. In MLB models, the engine will come paired with an eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox while MSB-based cars will get an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Both the transmissions will be sourced from ZF.

In addition to that, it’s also reported that a more powerful 600bhp version of the engine will be introduced later on in the Turbo S iterations of the Cayenne and Panamera. It’s also said that the new powertrain can be developed for hybrid applications.

After debuting in the next-gen Panamera (due 2017), the 4.0-litre twin-turbo will appear in the Cayenne Turbo soon after that. Apart from that, expect the high-end Audi RS division vehicles, Bentleys and  forthcoming Lamborghini Urus to benefit from the new powertrain as well.

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