Get to know the 2016 Porsche Panamera. In SA soon.

Following several leaks and teasers, Porsche has finally unveiled the 2017 Panamera sedan. The second-generation Porsche Panamera boasts a fresh look with a lower rear roofline and a wider stance. The refreshed design language attempts to build a stronger link to Porsche’s iconic 911.

Good news is that Porsche engineers have transformed and systematically improved the Panamera concept and is therefore introducing a four-door car that has been redeveloped and redesigned down to every last detail. The new model includes sweeping changes to the engine and transmission, improved chassis, and an interior concept reinterpreted for the future. Taking some of its exterior design cues from the iconic 911, the model boasts a roofline that is 20mm lower at the rear.

All second generation Porsche Panamera engines have been redesigned to produce more power, whilst significantly improving fuel economy and lowering emissions. The Porsche Panamera Turbo and Panamera 4S now feature new biturbo direct injection engines. Both models can be equipped with a permanent all-wheel drive system and a new eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK).

The 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine of the Porsche Panamera 4S develops 324kW available at 5,650 rpm and has 14kW more than the previous model. Between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm, the new six-cylinder delivers 550Nm (+30 Nm) to the drive axles. 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.

Like the Panamera Turbo, the six-cylinder engine of the Panamera 4S also has petrol injectors that are positioned in the combustion chamber, offering optimal combustion, maximum efficiency and impressive engine response. The 4S and Turbo models also produce exceptionally full-bodied engine sounds that have become synonymous with Porsche sports cars.

With its powerful petrol engine, the Panamera Turbo’s 4.0-litre biturbo V8 develops 404kW at 5,750 rpm, with a maximum torque of 770Nm (between 1,960 and 4,500 rpm). It has 22kW more than its predecessor as well as a torque increase of 70Nm. The Panamera Turbo accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, whilst with the Sport Chrono Package the sprint time is shaved to 3.6 seconds. The new turbo model claims a top speed of 306 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of just 3.6 kg/hp.

Porsche promises the second-gen model improves both ride comfort and handling agility, thanks to three-chamber air suspension, rear axle steering and enhanced electronic chassis management.

The console between the driver and the front passenger is dominated by the 12.3-inch touchscreen of the new generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, which the driver and front passenger can configure individually. Naturally featured in PCM is Porsche Connect smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and a new voice control system that responds to natural language input. The PCM area – with its high-end, high-resolution display – transitions harmoniously into the black panel concept of the centre console with a shift-by-wire gear selector for the PDK.

A new control panel with touch-sensitive switches enables intuitive control of various functions. The louvres of the central air vent are electrically adjusted by touch-sensitive sliders, whilst rear passengers can control air conditioning and infotainment functions using an optional four-zone automatic climate control system. The Porsche Advanced Cockpit transforms the analogue world into the digital present of mobility, whilst leaving room for traditional elements, such as the centrally positioned tachometer in the instrument cluster, which is a tribute to the 1955 Porsche 356 A.

Details on market introduction dates and pricing will be announced soon.