STUTTGART: The Panamera Turbo S has been unveiled, and it delivers 10% more power than the Panamera Turbo.
The 4.8-litre, V8 biturbo charged engine produces 550hp, or 50hp more than the Turbo. The torque also increases from 700Nm to 750Nm.
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 800Nm with the so-called overboost function.
The power pack is behind the new top-of-the-range Panamera’s record sprint times.
Thanks to Launch Control, 100kph is reached in 3.8 seconds; the top speed is 306kph. Despite the increased performance, fuel consumption remains at the moderate level of the Panamera Turbo.
The Gran Turismo covers 100km on 11.5 litres of fuel. Fuel consumption falls to 11.3 litres per 100 km when fitted with the 19-inch, all-season tyres with optimised rolling resistance developed for the Panamera by Michelin.
The increased performance compared with the Panamera Turbo 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.
Other technologies also contribute to its sporty characteristics.
Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), an active roll stabilisation system, nips in the bud the vehicle’s tendency to lean when cornering, thus enhancing agility and comfort.
Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) applies a variable torque split to the rear wheels combined with an electronically controlled rear differential lock, thus ensuring superior traction and therefore greater agility in every driving situation.
The steering system uses the speed-dependent Servotronic.
The Sport Chrono Package Turbo, which tunes the suspension and power unit, making them even sportier by pressing the additional “Sport Plus” button, is also fitted as standard, as is the sports exhaust system for an even more emotional engine note.
The sporty character of the new Panamera Turbo S is apparent not just in its performance but is also reflected on the exterior.
It comes with 20-inch Turbo II wheels with increased rear axle track width, side skirts and an adaptive extending four-way rear spoiler.
The interior has a 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 later.
The Panamera Turbo S costs 167,076 euros (RM718,427) in Germany; deliveries start in June.