2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Panamera Turbo S can be attributed to two main enhancements: Improved turbochargers with titanium-aluminium turbine wheels and modified engine control. The use of the innovative titanium-aluminium alloy reduces the weight of the turbine and compressor wheel. This results in a lower moment of inertia and thus in improved and more agile engine responsiveness.

The new Panamera Turbo S is a unique combination of performance and efficiency, driving dynamics and comfort. The 4.8 litre, V8 biturbo charged engine delivers 550 hp (410 kW), ten percent or 50 hp (37 kW) more than the already very powerful engine in the Panamera Turbo. By the same token, the torque also increases from 700 to 750 Nm. In the “Sport” and “Sport Plus” mode of the standard Sport Chrono Package Turbo and during kick-down in normal mode, the eight cylinder engine delivers fully 800 Nm with the so-called overboost function.

The sporty character of the new Panamera Turbo S is apparent not just in its performance but is also reflected on the exterior. The 20-inch Turbo II wheels with increased rear axle track width, side skirts from the Porsche Exclusive range and the adaptive extending four-way rear spoiler in the exterior colour ensure particularly sporty performance and look. The fusion of exclusivity and sportiness is conveyed in the interior by the bi-colour leather finish, fitted as standard. The new combination of black/cream is offered exclusively for the new Panamera Turbo S with agate grey/cream also being added as an exclusive combination from the autumn.

The Panamera Turbo S costs 167,076 euro in Germany, including VAT and country-specific equipment. Deliveries start in June 2011.

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo

2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo

Panamera - the first all-new Porsche in seven years - to the public in April 2009 at Auto Shanghai, it marked the official birth date of the fourth model in the Porsche family, joining the iconic Porsche 911 Carrera, the Boxster and Cayman, and the Cayenne. The Chinese launch also marked the culmination of five years of work on the part of Porsche engineers, designers and stylists.

"The crucial task for our engineers was to combine Porsche's sporting DNA with all the spaciousness and driving comfort of a luxurious sedan," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche's executive vice president of research and development. "The Panamera is an alternative car concept for the premium customer, and while competing with established vehicles in the class, it will be a clear segment leader in terms of performance, driving dynamics and efficiency."

The 500-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive Panamera Turbo provides Porsche performance and quality, as well as a level of comfort absent among true high-performance cars. All U.S. Panamera models feature a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox delivering a dynamic driving experience, ultrafast gearshifts without the slightest interruption of engine power, a very high level of comfort for four, and outstanding fuel efficiency when compared to a conventional automatic transmission. The Panamera is the first premium car with an automatically shifting double-clutch transmission to feature an engine start/stop system. It saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not needed, such as sitting at a stop light. All engines have advanced and fuel-efficient Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), as well.

The Panamera Turbo EPA fuel economy figures are 15 city/23 highway/18 combined. All Panamera models are not subject to the gas guzzler tax and provide the best fuel economy in their competitive set.

2011 Porsche Panamera

2011 Porsche Panamera

2011 Porsche Panamera

2011 Porsche Panamera

2011 Porsche Panamera

The new, entry-level Panamera is essentially the same car as the S and it, too, is a joy to drive. You give up some raw speed but not much else, and the base model may handle a tiny bit better than the S because it's slightly lighter. Unless you're planning to log time on a racetrack, this new Porsche is plenty quick. And there's good news for denizens of the snowbelt: The Panamera is actually slightly faster with all-wheel drive than with the standard rear-wheel drive and it handles marvelously in ice and snow.

Porsche (PAH3:GR) Panamera, the four-door luxury car that made its debut in 2010. Until recently, I had only driven the Panamera S, which is powered by a 4.8-liter, 400-horsepower V8 engine. What about the base model, which is only now making its debut in the U.S. and has a 3.6-liter, 300 horsepower V6 under its hood? Would it be too slow and pedestrian to seriously consider, even though it costs a good 15 grand less than the S?

The base Panamera starts at $75,375 with rear-wheel drive and $79,875 with all-wheel-drive. That compares with a starting price of $90,775 for the Panamera S, and $136,275 for the Turbo. Standard equipment on the new entry-level model is the same as on the S and includes leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats with driver memory functions, hard-drive-based navigation and 11-speaker sound systems, a sunroof, a power rear hatchback, rear parking sensors, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, and a cooled glove box.