Where to, Bentley? Although two of Bentley's current models-the Continental GT and Flying Spur-are based on Porsche's relatively new MSB platform and one—the Bentayga-is built on Audi's older MLB architecture, VW Group has decided to put the British brand more firmly under Ingolstadt's aegis, to the point where Audi might even take a shareholding. Driving the move is the bold plan to produce only electric-powered Bentleys from 2030 onward. Formally linking it with Audi means Bentley will get a major role in defining the characteristics it requires of the high-tech "Artemis" EV architecture being developed under the direction of former motorsport engineer Alex Hitzinger. Why not Porsche? "Bentley is a luxury brand, not a sports car brand," one insider says. "Audi is a better fit." Electric Rivalry As Mercedes engineers put the finishing touches on the EQS, Stuttgart's new all-electric flagship, their counterparts in Munich are readying a 7 Series-sized rival, the 17. The big electric BMW sedan is said to be a more conventional-looking car than the swoopy EQS. That's because it's built on a convergence platform designed to also package an internal combustion engine and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, rather than a unique BEV platform like the Mercedes. Screaming Silverados? Whispers out of Melbourne, Australia, suggest former Holden hot-shop HSV is working on a supercharged version of the Chevy Silverado 1500. With the demise of the Holden brand Down Under, the company that once developed Holden's high-performance models has reinvented itself as a specialist engineering contractor for GM Specialty Vehicles. Among other things, it converts Silverado 1500s and 2500s to right-hand drive for the Australian market. But old habits die hard, it seems. Australian sources say if it comes to market, HSV's supercharged Silverado could pack as much as 670 hp. Look out, TRX and Raptor?
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