Since its launch in 2009, the Porsche Panamera has combined two contrasting characteristics: the performance of a sports car and the comfort of a luxury saloon. After sales of more than 150,000 units worldwide, the second generation of the Panamera advances further its benchmark performance in the luxury class.
In this evolution, Porsche has systematically improved the Panamera – a four-door Gran Turismo that has been further refined down to the last detail. The engines and transmissions have been redesigned, the chassis and suspension optimised, and the driver display and control interfaces reinterpreted for the future.
The new Panamera also further extends the boundaries between the world of sports cars and that of luxury saloons, with technical dynamic highlights such as rear axle steering, active body roll compensation and innovative three-chamber air suspension.
Visually, the unique design of this Porsche is reflected in a new expressive appearance: unmistakably a Panamera, unmistakably a sports car – with long, dynamic proportions, pronounced shoulders, athletic flanks and an extremely ‘fast’ (rearward sloping) roof line that is 20 mm lower at the rear. This typical Porsche outline silhouette, or ‘flyline’, creates a stylistic link to the Porsche 911.
Although slightly higher than its predecessor, the four-door car appears much lower and longer. This is primarily due to the reduced height, 20mm, above the rear of the passenger compartment while maintaining consistently good headroom. This changes the car’s overall image completely. The wheelbase has been increased by 30 mm to 2,950 mm; this too lengthens the car’s proportions. The front wheels were shifted further forward, reducing the front overhang and making the ‘prestige dimension’ – the distance between the A-pillar and the front axle – even larger. The rear overhang is longer, giving the car a more powerful appearance.
Inside interior has been reinterpreted for the future. Classic hard keys and conventional instruments have been reduced significantly, replaced by touch-sensitive panels and individually configurable displays which take centre stage in the new Porsche Advanced Cockpit.
There are changes to the new engines too, with new V6 and V8 bi-turbo engines. Three new bi-turbo direct injection engines are being introduced at the market launch: in the Panamera Turbo, the Panamera 4S and the Panamera 4S Diesel.
Each of these may be specified with a permanent all-wheel drive system and a new eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK). A V8 petrol engine that delivers 404 kW / 550 hp (combined fuel consumption 9.4 – 9.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 214 – 212 g/km) powers the Panamera Turbo and a V6 petrol engine with 324 kW / 440 hp (combined fuel consumption 8.2 – 8.1 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 186 – 184 g/km) drives the Panamera 4S. In the Panamera 4S Diesel, a V8 with 310 kW/422 hp (combined fuel consumption 6.8 – 6.7 l/100 km; CO2 emissions 178 – 176 g/km) generates powerful thrust and a maximum torque of 850 Nm.
The V6 and V8 bi-turbo engines of the Panamera are new, powerful and fuel-efficient. And they all share a special conceptual design characteristic, known as ‘with hot sides inward’. Translated, this means that the turbochargers of the new Panamera engines are integrated centrally into the V of the cylinder banks. This central turbo layout yields numerous benefits. The engines are more compact, and this enables a lower mounting position. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the vehicle centre of gravity. The short paths between the two turbochargers and the combustion chambers produce spontaneous throttle response.
Engine response can be further increased using the optional Mode Switch with the Sport Response Button. The Mode Switch, which was first introduced in the Porsche 918 Spyder, is an intuitively operated rotary ring on the steering wheel, which can be used to activate one of four driving modes.
The Panamera Turbo is also the first Porsche to be equipped with the new adaptive cylinder control in its engine. In part-load operation, the system temporarily and imperceptibly turns the eight-cylinder into a four-cylinder engine. This reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent, depending on power demand in the four-cylinder phases.
Prices will start from £88,700 for the Panamera 4S, £91,788 for the 4S Diesel and the Turbo costing from £113,075.