Second-Gen Porsche Panamera Revealed

STUTTGART – Porsche officially unveils the second-generation Panamera – a car it says has been “redeveloped and realigned down to the last detail.”

The all-new 5-door liftback-style sedan, known internally under the codename G2, replaces today’s 7-year-old model, which has contributed to record sales for the German automaker. The revamped model renews its challenge to a raft of luxury-class rivals, including the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and newly updated Maserati Quattroporte.

Sporting crisper exterior styling, a redesigned interior, new range of engines, key improvements to its chassis and contemporary communication features, the new Porsche can be ordered immediately, though North American deliveries are not planned to begin until early 2017.

The initial North American lineup is restricted to just two all-wheel-drive models: the V6-powered Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo – the latter packing a new 542-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0L V-8. Equipped with a new 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a Sport Chrono package, the Turbo model is capable of reaching 62 mph (100 km/h) from standstill in just 3.6 seconds and boasts a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h).

Selected markets, including those throughout Europe, will offer a third model at launch in the form of the V8-powered Panamera 4S Diesel

The new Panamera is based on the second incarnation of Porsche’s Modular Standard Architecture platform that also is set to underpin the upcoming third-generation Bentley Continental GT. Offering greater production flexibility through its ability to support a wider range of track and wheelbase combinations, it also contributes to a reduction in weight via extensive use of aluminum in its structure, as well as hood, fenders, roof and tailgate.

Digitalization means fewer buttons cluttering center console.

Porsche is yet to release official curb weights. However, claimed power-to-weight ratios indicate it tips the scales at 4,365 lbs. (1,980 kg), or some 22 lbs. (10 kg) more than the outgoing model.

The new version clearly marks a more concerted effort by Porsche’s design team to provide the Panamera with some of the more iconic stylistic cues of the 911. Despite retaining a similar silhouette to the current generation, the new Panamera receives tauter surfacing and more precise swage-line detailing in a move Porsche design boss Michael Mauer suggests lightens the car visually.

The most prominent link with the 911 is within the rear haunches, which are broader and shapelier than those of the first-generation Panamera. As with the latest version of Zuffenhausen’s legendary 911, the wheelhouses also have been enlarged to accommodate wheels up to 21-ins. in diameter.

Dimensionally, the new Panamera has grown. In standard wheelbase guise, it has increased 1.3 ins. (33 mm) in length and a scant 0.2 ins. (5.1 mm) in width and height, measuring 198.8 ins. (5,050 mm), 76.2 ins. (1,935 mm) and 56.0 ins. (1,422 mm), respectively. This makes it slightly shorter, wider and lower than the latest BMW 7-Series.

Porsche says the added subtle curvature to the roofline makes the Panamera appear lower and longer than before. This is further enhanced by a wheelbase that is 1.2 ins. (30 mm) longer than before at 116.0 ins. (2,946 mm), a change that has led to a shortening of the front overhang and lengthening of the rear overhang.

Despite the sleeker roof line, rear seat headroom has increased, as has cargo capacity, which is upped 1.8 cu.-ft. (51 L) over the first-generation Panamera to 17.5 cu.-ft. (496 L). That increases to 46.1 cu.-ft. (1,305 L) with the standard 40:20:40 split rear seats folded down.

In a departure from today’s model, the second-generation Panamera will be offered in two body styles. Joining the liftback will be a wagon variant. Due to go on sale by the end of 2017, Porsche’s engineers are putting the finishing touches on that version of the car, first previewed by the Sport Turismo concept at the 2012 Paris auto show.

Next Step in Digitalization

Inside, the Panamera introduces a new design with touch-sensitive surfaces along the middle console to reduce the number of buttons.

Described as continuing the digitalization theme that began with the interior of the 918 Spyder, the dashboard houses a heavily hooded instrument binnacle boasting a traditional, centrally mounted analog rev counter bookmarked by two 7.0-in. (17.8-cm) high-definition displays. It is supported by a larger 12.3-in. (31.2-cm) touchscreen monitor used for the various functions of the Porsche Communication Management system, including navigation, entertainment and connectivity features.

Around the high-mounted gear lever are further touch-sensitive switches, including those for the air conditioning.

The Panamera is the first recipient of Porsche’s newly developed turbocharged 2.9L V-6 and twin-turbocharged 4.0L V-8 gasoline engines.

Engineered in a joint venture with Audi, the 90-degree units share a common cylinder spacing and injectors positioned within the combustion chamber for more efficient fuel burning than the naturally aspirated 3.6L and turbocharged 3.0L V-6 and twin-turbo 4.8L V-8 engines they replace.

In a move becoming increasingly prevalent among performance car makers, the new V-6 and V-8 both rely on a twin-scroll counter-rotating turbochargers mounted centrally within the space between the two cylinder banks. Porsche says this provides shorter charging paths for added response and greater torque at lower engine speeds. It also enables the two turbos to be mounted lower in the engine bay for a lower center of gravity than the previous-gen Panamera.

Rear view of new-gen Panamera.

In addition, the V-8 uses what Porsche describes as “active cylinder control” to switch off one bank of cylinders on part-throttle loads and provide a claimed 30% reduction in fuel consumption when driving around town.

In the Panamera 4S, the 2.9L delivers 434 hp at 5,650 rpm and 405 lb.-ft. (549 Nm) of torque between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm, providing 0-62 mph acceleration in 4.2 seconds in combination with the Sport Chrono package and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h).

The 4.0L is rated at 542 hp at 5,750 rpm and 568 lb.-ft. (770 Nm) between 1,960 and 4,500 rpm.

New to the lineup is the Panamera 4S Diesel, the first Panamera to run a V-8 diesel. First unveiled in the Audi SQ7, the 4.0L uses a variable-vane turbocharger to kick out 416 hp at 3,500 rpm and 626 lb.-ft. (849 Nm) of torque from 1,000 to 3,250rpm. It hits 62 mph in 4.3 seconds and fuel economy is rated at 35.1 mpg (6.7 L/100 km) combined on the U.S. cycle.

Additional models are planned for introduction in early 2017, including an entry level rear-drive Panamera with both gasoline and diesel powertrains, as well as two successors to today’s plug-in Panamera S Hybrid, plus a next-gen Panamera GTS.

Mirroring recent developments within its sports-car lineup, the second-generation Panamera adopts a rear steer system to enhance its steering precision in spite of the increase in dimensions.

In the U.S., prices start at $99,900 for the Panamera 4S and $146,900 for the Panamera Turbo.