REDESIGNED and redeveloped down to every last detail, the Panamera 4S and Turbo models were showcased this week in Saudi Arabia. Launch events hosted at the Al-Khobar and Riyadh showrooms gave over 150 guests an opportunity to experience Porsche's latest four-door sports car up close for the first time. In its second generation, the systematically improved Panamera has been redefined and realigned to unite the performance of a sports car and the comfort of a luxury sedan. This has been achieved through the re-engineering of the power units and transmissions, as well as the perfection of the chassis. Meanwhile inside, the new Panamera's display and control concept have been reinterpreted for the future with multi-touch gesture control. Featuring technical highlights such as rear axle steering, electromechanical roll stabilization and a three-chamber air suspension, the new and rethought Gran Turismo bridges the world of ambitious sports cars and comfortable cruisers. Speaking at the launch event, Michael Mueller, Executive Director of Porsche Saudi Arabia, said: "In the new Panamera, our customers and enthusiasts will experience a fundamentally redesigned car with new turbo engines, sharper exterior design, intuitive interior features and innovative technologies. All models launched here today are more powerful than previous versions, whilst also significantly improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. As a result, this four-door sedan is a unique offering and an embodiment of comfort, performance, luxury presented in the most beautiful form. The enhancements applied to the new Panamera make it a true segment leader, one that I am sure will be well received here in the Kingdom." [caption id="attachment_115765" align="alignright" width="300"] Porsche Panamera Turbo dashboard [/caption] At first glance, the unique concept and performance credentials of the four-door sports car are reflected in a new design which creates a stylistic link to Porsche's design icon, the 911. Recognizable sports car aesthetics which make up the typical Porsche flyline in the new Panamera include pronounced shoulders, athletic flanks and an extremely fast roof line that is 20 mm lower at the rear. The rear of the vehicle now further highlights the Panamera's four-door coupé credentials, distinguishing it from a conventional sedan. Features, such as the three-dimensional LED rear lights that include integrated four-point brake lights, interconnected by a narrow LED strip, result in a distinctive night design. All Panamera engines have been redesigned to produce more power, whilst significantly improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. Two new twin-turbo engines have been introduced along with the brand's first eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission. This enables an even better gear ratio spread alongside a reduction in fuel consumption, because the seventh and eighth gears are designed as engine speed-reducing overdrive gears, with all models reaching their top speed in sixth gear. The luxury sedan drive experience is taken to a new level, through the functionality and easy interaction of the new Porsche Advanced Cockpit. Its intuitive user interface, makes operation of the communication, convenience and assistance systems easier than ever. The 12.3-inch display touchscreen marks the next stage of development for the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. For the benefit of the driver, front and rear passengers, classic hard keys and conventional instruments have been significantly reduced. Instead they have been replaced with touch-sensitive panels and individually configurable displays. Raising the comfort experience of the Panamera to an entirely new level are new equipment options such as the panoramic tilt roof, massage seats, ambient lighting and a 3D high-end sound system from Burmester. The 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo engine of the Panamera 4S is a completely new development, which produces 440 hp, available at 5,650 rpm and represents a 20 hp increase from the previous model. Reaching 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package), the Panamera 4S has a top speed of 289 km/h. A NEDC combined fuel consumption of 8.2 – 8.1 l/100 km (186 – 184 g/km CO2) means that the new Panamera 4S offers a fuel saving of up to 1.0 l/100 km or 11 per cent in comparison to the first generation model. With its powerful petrol engine, the Panamera Turbo's new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 develops 550 hp at 5,750 rpm, with a maximum torque of 770 Nm between 1,960 and 4,500 rpm. It has 30 hp more than its predecessor as well as a torque increase of 70 Nm. The new Panamera Turbo accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, whilst with the Sport Chrono Package the sprint time is down to 3.6 seconds. The new turbo model features a top speed of 306 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of just 3.6 kg/hp. A lower combined fuel consumption of 9.4 – 9.3 l/100 km, is up to 1.1 l/100 km less than that of the previous model (NEDC), therefore equating to CO2 emissions of 214 – 212 g/km. When equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package featuring launch control, engine response can be further increased using the mode switch on the steering wheel. It was first introduced in the Porsche 918 Spyder, is an intuitively operated rotary ring, which can be used to activate one of four driving modes (Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual). Located at the center of the switch is the Sport Response Button. It can be used to free up the maximum power potential of the Panamera at the press of a button. Presenting a harmonious balance between sporty performance, comfort and luxury, the new Panamera has been developed for sports car drivers who appreciate four doors and four seats. The new Porsche Panamera 4S and Turbo are now available in Saudi Arabia, with basic retail prices of SR500,600 and SR703,600 for Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo, respectively.
