When it made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2009, many were critical of the Porsche Panamera’s looks. It continues to have its detractors, but most have come to realise just how impressive the Panamera is in terms of performance, luxury, and utility – see our review here. Soon, however, Porsche’s only sedan will be getting a mid-life update, and these are the first spy shots of the changes.

These fresh spy pictures show an early development prototype with only the front end covered, suggesting some minor changes to the bumper and the headlamps. It goes without saying that the redesign will be in line with what we saw on the latest 911 introduced in Frankfurt last week.

Despite the fact that there are no alterations to the rear end on this test model, knowing Porsche, the final production version may feature some ‘evolutionary’ touches to the tail lamps and the bumper designs. With the relative lack of exterior updates, Porsche may instead be focusing on changes to the equipment and upholstery inside the car. Upgrading electronics, offering new materials and/or colour combinations, is likely to win more new buyers than a major redesign would.

For the most part, we expect the current engine lineup in the Panamera range to remain unchanged.

Porsche has expanded the Panamera line-up with a new entry-level V6 petrol engine, which will go on sale in the UK in June. The new 3,6-litre engine receives direct fuel-injection, a stop-start system and produces 220 kW with 400 N.m of torque. The new engine will be available in the rear-wheel drive Panamera and four-wheel drive Panamera 4 models, which both use Porsche’s PDK double-clutch gearbox as standard.

Being the most economical engine in the range, the Panamera returns 9.3 l/100km, while the Panamera 4 averages 9.6 l/100km on the combined cycle. CO2 emissions are 218g/km and 225g/km respectively. Porsche claims the brand-new engine is approximately 30 kg lighter than the V8 units in the Panamera S and 4S.

Standard equipment includes steel suspension with xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic dimming rear view mirrors, Porsche Communication Management with touch-screen satellite navigation and audio controls and cruise control. Options include variable dampers and full adaptive air suspension with 19-inch alloy wheels.

Read our impressions on the new Porsche Panamera here.

Gemballa has officially introduced its first tuning program for the 2010 Porsche Panamera, called the Gemballa Mistrale.

Decked out in lightweight carbon materials, this version of Porsche’s sedan receives a new front skirt and larger air intakes, a new hood, a rear diffuser, four tailpipes, and extended front and rear fenders.

The air suspension module lowers the vehicle, and the coilover suspension is height-adjustable. New performance brakes and lightweight 22-inch forged rims round of the Mistrale tuning package.

Gemballa has plans to offer engine performance upgrades for the Porsche Panamera, producing up to 550 kW for the turbo’d models.

Press Release (Click to expand)

Adapted from DieselStation