Panamera pushes the envelope

THE LATEST LUXURY PORSCHE SEDAN IS NEW FROM THE TYRES UP

Porsche New Zealand has given a sneak preview of the all- new Panamera premium sedan just weeks before it officially goes on sale here.

The company held an exclusive media session at Hampton Downs racetrack on Tuesday evening, with two factory- lent models on show: the Turbo and 4S.

The 4S is priced from $ 275,300 and the Turbo will cost from $ 346,300. Both models, along with a diesel 4S, will go on sale in New Zealand from December. A plugin hybrid version will follow that Porsche says has a 50km range.

The second- generation has been reworked from the tyres up. It gains new engines, a reworked transmission, new chassis and, more importantly, a new exterior appearance.

The first generation Panamera garnered unfavourable reviews due to its appearance, which looked more like an extended 911 than a stand- alone Porsche model.

But the Panamera has joined the Macan, new Boxster and Cayman with a more dominant design with the German luxury brand not Porsche NZ expects the new Panamera to increase sales here. Porsche Panamera afraid to push new technology to emphasis their sports vehicles. The all- new GT- style Panamera has extended proportions, flared shoulders, a more dynamic roofline and striking front and rear LED lights. Four circles form the front lightsand the rear wraparound LED lights make a dramatic addition.

The new Panamera also features extensive use of aluminium in the body shell.

The Gran Turismo has three new twin- turbo engines, with the 4S now paired with a 2.9- litre V6 petrol engine, down from 3- litre twin- turbo but producing 324kW of power and 550Nm of torque. The diesel 4S has a 4- litre V8 engine ( 310kW/ 850Nm) which Porsche claims will be the world’s fastest diesel, while the Turbo has a 4- litre, V8 engine ( 404kW/ 770Nm), a change from the 4.8- litre engine in the previous model.

All models now have Porsche’s dual- clutch transmission ( PDK) with eight speeds and all- wheel drive.

New features also include rear axle steering, three- chamber air suspension, the electromechanical roll stabilisation system, and Porsche’s dynamic chassis control