This Porsche Panamera is Hiding a Deep, Dark Secret

Bentley has begun early development work on its next-generation Flying Spur.

Spy photographers have caught the new Porsche Panamera serving as a mule for the new Bentley Flying Spur, since both models will share the same platform. On this particular mule, we can see slightly wider fenders and it’s sporting U.K. plates that are registered as a Bentley.

The next-generation Continental GT has also been spied testing, and it is expected to have some design influences from the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept. Considering the Flying Spur is essentially a sedan version of the Continental GT, you can expect similar styling elements to find their way to the four-door model.

SEE ALSO: Bentley Flying Spur W12 S Provides Opulent Luxury at 202 MPH

The next-generation Flying Spur will likely not just share its platform with the Porsche Panamera, but also some of its powertrain options. We can only hope that Bentley will keep the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 in the model’s lineup.

A full-body prototype should start appearing next year, while the new model will likely arrive dealerships in late 2018 or early 2019.