Porsche will freshen the Panamera with engine upgrades and a new plug-in hybrid variant.
The new Porsche Panamera will arrive in European dealerships in October and is expected to arrive in U.S. stores in spring 2021. In Germany, prices will start from 91,245 euros for the base model.
The four-door coupe Panamera rivals the Mercedes-Benz S Class and Audi A8.
The updated standard Panamera and Panamera 4 models feature a 2.9-liter twin-turbo engine that delivers 325 hp, replacing the previous 3.0-liter single-turbo engine.
The sporty Panamera GTS variant is powered by a twin-turbo V-8 that delivers 473 hp — a 20-hp increase from the current model.
Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo S has a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that delivers 620 hp, up from the 550 hp produced by the current model. The new model sprints from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph), using Launch Control, in 3.1 seconds.
New variant
Kerrigan Advisors’ proprietary annual OEM Survey of over 100 executives reveals that the majority of respondents are worried about the financial impact of Chinese automakers’ growing global market share, and most expect that the EV transition to be slower than expected. The survey also queried executives on their outlooks for dealership valuations and profitability, as well as their expectations for the future of dealer networks and facility requirements.
Porsche will introduce a new plug-in hybrid model next year.
The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid pairs an electric motor with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine to deliver 552 hp and 553 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) using Launch Control in 3.7 seconds and has a top track speed of 185 mph (298 kph).
Improving on the acceleration of the already-quick Panamera 4S, the hybrid version cuts CO2 emissions by about a third, noted Sam Fiorani, vice president at AutoForecast Solutions.
"Electrification is the best way to retain this level of performance while staying within the ever-tightening pollution regulations around the world," Fiorani said.
Styling changes
The new Panamera features design updates to make the sedan the look sportier. A new continuous light strip spreads out across the rear of the car, connecting the taillights, while the lower rear fascia sports new diffuser fins.
The interior has been updated with a newly designed multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles. The center console is anchored by a 12.3-inch center touch screen.
