Bigger, better Porsche Panamera is revealed
THE Porsche Panamera has been around since 2009, with the four-door coupé benefiting from a facelift just over three years ago. Now it’s time for an all-new model, and the second-generation Panamera has been revealed at Porsche HQ in Stuttgart.
The new model gets the familiar long bonnet, pronounced shoulderline and large alloy wheels, with subtle tweaks to the bodywork. It’s 35mm longer, 5mm wider and 5mm taller than before, with a 30mm longer wheelbase.
New air intakes and a redesigned grille give the front end a more aggressive look, while at the rear there are new LED lights that stretch right across the back.
It’s here where Porsche has most obviously linked its new Panamera to the rest of the current Porsche range, with many similar design elements found on the updated 911
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and new 718 Boxster and Cayman ranges. Big exhaust pipes and a rear wing that deploys automatically complete the look.
Inside, there’s a new dashboard layout, with touch-sensitive surfaces replacing the previous car’s array of buttons. A centrally mounted tachometer also harks back to the legendary 1955 Porsche 356 A.
The new car includes two seven-inch displays in place of the dials, as well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring online sat-nav, Apple Carplay integration and an updated voice control system. Under the bonnet is a new engine range, with only the Panamera 4S, 4S Diesel and flagship Turbo available from launch. The new V6 and V8 engines are cleverly packaged to make them more compact, mounted lower in the car to improve the centre of gravity.
The most powerful 4.0-litre V8 Turbo model gets 542bhp and 770Nm of torque, meaning 0-62mph in 3.8 secondseconds (or 3.6 seconds with the optionalional Sport Chrono pack) and a top speedpeed of 190mph. Economy of 30mpgmpg and emissions of 214g/km are improved over the previous model thanks to cylinder deactivation tech.
A 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 powers the 4S model, with 20bhp more than before for a total of 434bhp. It will sprint from 0-62mph in
Wraps off larger, more aggressive-looking four-door with extra tech “New car is 35mm longer, 5mm wider and 5mm taller than before, with a 30mm longer wheelbase”
4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono pack, return 34.5mpg and emit 186g/km of CO2.
Porsche says the Panamera 4S Diesel is the fastest diesel car in the world. The powerful V8 develops 416bhp and a huge 850Nm of torque – giving 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and a 177mph top speed. It still claims 41.5mpg and 178g/km emissions.
Elsewhere, the car is available with a ‘Sport Response’ button to boost engine responses. Taken from the 918 Spyder hypercar, this offers Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual drive modes.
The new Panamera has 50 litres more boot space than before, at 495 litres. Fold the 40:20:40 split rear seats and you get 1,304 litres – that’s a rise of 41 litres.
UK prices have yet to be released, but the 4S will start at 113,027 Euros in Germany – suggesting an entry-level Panamera will cost around £90,000. The first cars will arrive in showrooms in November.
rivals like Mercedes and Audi in offering a dual-clutch automatic gearbox (instead of a manual) remains to be seen.
As for the price, the newcomer will undoubtedly sit above the current car and is likely to cost more than the old RS500, which started at £35,000. The limited production run will ensure exclusivity, although it’s not likely to go on sale until at least next year.
more fun to the mix, crackling and spitting even more than the JCW.
The engine is no different, though. It’s the same 228bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 320Nm of torque, which takes the JCW from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds. MINI reckons the stickier tyres might mean it’s a bit faster, though.
So while it doesn’t sound like much, if you regularly take your car on track, the JCW Challenge is a joy. The tight body control suggests the ride might be on the firm side, but we’ll reserve final judgement until we try the car on the road.
Inside, each model gets a unique build number on the dashboard. You can’t choose any options, but you do get all the kit from the base JCW as standard. There’s no sat-nav, though, and for £32,000, many will expect more kit.