Thursday 31st October 2013

Porsche Panamera Turbo S revealed

A tad more power and a whole host of tech for Porsche's new Panamera range-topper

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As Porsches go, the Panamera Turbo S is probably one of the hardest to justify. Only a smidge quicker than the Turbo, not as fun as a GTS and prone to even more savage depreciation than other Panams.

Badge delete surely the best value option

Still, this is PH, and the announcement of a 570hp Porsche very much remains news to us. The 50hp gain over the regular Turbo is achieved through new turbos with larger compressors plus an increase in injection pressure from 20 bar to 140 bar. Aluminium alloy pistons and 'specially coated' piston rings are introduced to deal with the higher component loads.

With torque now at 553lb ft (590lb ft on overboost), the Turbo S makes, um, exactly the same amount of torque as the last version. Still, that was hardly insufficient, and allows the Panamera to hit 62 in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 193mph. The seven-speed PDK is standard.

Yellow calipers denote standard PCCB

A sports exhaust is on the options list, with an 'acoustic channel' to direct sound into the cabin via a switch. According to Porsche, it offers drivers 'the opportunity to further revel in the mellifluous sound of the V8'.

The full Porsche acronym catalogue has been thrown in the direction of the Turbo S. So as standard there are PCCB ceramic brakes, PTM all-wheel drive, PDCC active roll, PTV Plus torque vectoring and PASM adaptive dampers. Whilst we're on acronyms, the NEDC combined figure is 27.7mpg, identical to the Turbo.

To mark out the Panamera flagship, the 'Palladium' grey colour seen in the lead image will be offered exclusively on the Turbo S. Wheels from the 991 Turbo and a body-coloured spoiler are also unique to the Turbo S.

£130K new, probably a lot less very soon

Porsche claims the 'synthesis between exclusivity and sportiness' is maintained inside the Panamera Turbo S. Two-tone leather is standard, with 'Dark Burl Walnut' a fresh addition to the decor options. Every passenger has a heated seat, with the front pair adjustable in 14 directions.

For customers outside Europe, the Turbo S will be offered in 'Executive' spec, with a longer wheelbase and an even more lavish cabin.

Porsche will unveil the Turbo at the Tokyo motor show. However, it's on sale at your Porsche dealer now from £131,049, with deliveries from January. Keep some change spare for the options though...

[Schermerhorn]

Nice car.

Is it really worth the premium over an M5 or an M6 Gran Coupe though?

[gumsie]

Still. After being acclimatised to this thing for a few months, I'm finding it difficult to think of anything uglier.

[arkenphel]

They're actually quite pretty in the flesh, but pics 3 and 4 of the article make it look stretched. Is there a LWB version?

[mrclav]

arkenphel said:

They're actually quite pretty in the flesh, but pics 3 and 4 of the article make it look stretched. Is there a LWB version?

Pistonheads article said:

For customers outside Europe, the Turbo S will be offered in 'Executive' spec, with a longer wheelbase and an even more lavish cabin.

[toppstuff]

Terrific cars.

People wrongly compare them to M5's and the like, but the Panamera is definitely in a class above.

I've co-driven an early Panamera Turbo from London to Milan. It was bloody fantastic.

The owner can't really think of anything to replace it with other than another one. An M5 or similar feels like a rep-mobile in comparison.

[Sampaio]

"Badge delete surely the best value option"

Trying to imagine the kind of person who would have "P O R S C H E Panamera Turbo S" written on the back of his car...

[Cheburator mk2]

toppstuff said:

Terrific cars.

People wrongly compare them to M5's and the like, but the Panamera is definitely in a class above.

I've co-driven an early Panamera Turbo from London to Milan. It was bloody fantastic.

The owner can't really think of anything to replace it with other than another one. An M5 or similar feels like a rep-mobile in comparison.

Totally agree. As much as loved my full leather (dash, transmission tunnel, door cards etc.) M5 E61, it felt positively Toyota like compared to the Panamera GTS...

[number1nesta]

A wonderfully engineered, hugely accomplished car, no doubt. But can anybody with their hand on heart say it's not ugly?

I was a child dreaming of owning a Porsche in the days when they looked right; ie 80's and early 90's but now, on looks alone, I have zero desire to have one on my drive.

Drive-ability, yes.
Bedroom wall poster/kerb appeal, no.

Sadly.

[pti]

Still an absolute munter.

[number1nesta]

pti said:

Still an absolute munter.

Definitely should've been the headline for this article...

[dlockhart]

This suffers from the same problem as the other new porsches

They look awful from the rear (the 991 being the least worse). The front says style power and sportiness. The rear is overcluttered with badges and looks about as sporty as an ex footballer trying to get his old shirt

[kambites]

One of few cars that looks worse in the metal than in pictures, and it looks pretty damned terrible in pictures... by all accounts it's still by far the best car in its class, though. If I needed a big sporty four-door and had this sort of money to spend, I suspect I'd end up buying one; you can't see the arse from the driver's seat.

[toppstuff]

number1nesta said:

But can anybody with their hand on heart say it's not ugly?

Sadly.

Yes. I find it rather handsome.

Mercedes CLS. Now that IS ugly. Ditto the Bentley Mulsanne, Silver Spur. Also ugly. The Panamera looks good in the flesh, particularly in dark metallics.

[TooMany2cvs]

"Increase in injection pressure from 20bar to 140bar"?

Really? That's not just an increase in pressure - that's gotta be a complete new injection system. Or a typo.

[RDMcG]

I've driven a variety of them, recognize that they are very good cars., and still cannot get over the looks. The concept shooting brake that showed up last year, on the other hand, was stunning.

[m444ttb]

Where's the Sport Turismo (or whatever the estate version was called) Porsche?! The original PanAm has been growing on me for a while now somebody at work owns one.

[dukebox9reg]

Going back to a comment on an Alfa response about colours. Once again it shows the Germans at their best with the colour palette.

'Welcome ladies and gents, this is our fastest version yet and comes exclusively in a different shade of grey'.

[KMB]

Still, this is PH, and the announcement of a 570hp Porsche very much remains news to us. The 50hp gain over the regular Turbo is achieved through new turbos with larger compressors plus an increase in injection pressure from 20 bar to 140 bar.

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I'm sure that should have read 'of 20 bar'?

[Evo]

I doubt people are buying these for toys or their only car, sure it's not the prettiest but then I don't like the looks of the Quattroporte or CLS either.

This car is a business tool for wealthy individuals and I can't think of a better place to sit than a car as well engineered as a Porsche.

Most people buying a £130k Cayenne will have a few nice toys tucked away if cars are their passion.

I like it.

[Axel350Z]

Wow, they have actually managed to make it even uglier from the rear. No mean feat!