2020 Porsche Panamera brings 621bhp Turbo S
Range also includes new 4S E-Hybrid with more electric range, revised chassis and tweaked looks
Porsche has detailed its updated Panamera, which brings two new powertrain options, updated technology, chassis upgrades and a refreshed exterior design.
The most significant news is the introduction of a new top-spec Turbo S variant and a third plug-in hybrid option. The Turbo S replaces the current Turbo, uprating the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 from 542bhp to 621bhp.
Torque is also increased by 37 lb ft to 605 lb ft. The result is a quoted 0-62mph time of 3.1sec - a substantial improvement on the 3.6sec quoted for the Turbo with the Sport Chrono Package. The top speed rises from 190 to 196mph for the new flagship. It’s also claimed to have set a new Nürburgring lap record for executive cars at 7:29:81, beating the 2018 record set by the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door Coupé.
The Panamera GTS has been upgraded to help reduce the gap between it and the new Turbo S. Its 4.0-litre V8 is boosted by 19bhp to 473bhp and 457lb ft. Porsche claims the power output “continuously increases up close to the engine speed limit” to give the feeling of an old-school naturally aspirated model. A standard-fit sports exhaust aims to introduce a more traditional V8 soundtrack.
Also new is a third addition to the hybrid range in the form of the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid. Porsche is keen to provide more plug-in options for the model, with aroudn 60% of total European sales of the Panamera being plug-ins. The new model bridges the gap between the base 4 E-Hybrid and the Turbo S E-Hybrid - those two variants will be detailed in revised form at a later date.
The 4S E-Hybrid has a combined system output of 552bhp and 553 lb ft from a 434bhp 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 mated to a 134bhp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Porsche claims a 0-62mph time of 3.7sec (with the Sport Chrono Package) and a 185mph top speed. Perhaps of more relevance is the increased battery size, up from 14.1kWh of previous Panamera plug-in hybrids to 17.9kWh, thanks to optimised cells. This, along with revisions to the driving modes to improve efficiency, results in a quoted WLTP electric range of up to 34 miles - a 30% improvement on the 4 E-Hybrid.
Further mechanical updates includes model-specific revisions to the air suspension, PASM management system, dynamic chassis control and roll stabilisation features. Porsche claims this benefits both comfort and sportiness alongside new steering control and tyre specifications.
Styling revisions are subtle for the three bodystyles - the standard liftback, the long-wheelbase Executive and the Sport Turismo estate. They include the standard fitment of the previously optional Sport Design front end, which features larger air intakes, a different grille and single-bar front light model.
The Turbo S features a model-specific front end with enlarged side intakes and new design elements, while all variants get new headlight designs.
At the rear, the full-width light strip has been revised to run seamlessly over the bootlid, with redesigned LED tail-lights featuring a dynamic coming/leaving home function.
Furthermore, three new 20in and 21in wheel designs bring the rim choice total to 10.
The interior architecture remains fundamentally the same, but new functions have been added to the car’s infotainment system. These include improved voice control, live road sign and hazard information and wireless Apple CarPlay. The list of driver assistance functions is extended, with lane-keeping assistance and road sign recognition now standard.
UK-specific prices for the 2020 Panamera have yet to be revealed, but we do know that the base rear-drive model starts from €91,345 (£81,950) in Germany. The 4 is €95,289 (£85,490), the 4S E-Hybrid is €126,841 (£113,800), the GTS is €136,933 (£122,852) and the Turbo S rounds out the range at launch at €179,737 (£161,255). The first new models will arrive in dealerships this autumn.
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