Porsche has added two new models to its controversially-styled but successfully-selling Panamera range, at opposite ends of the price and output scale.
The powerful Panamera Turbo S becomes the new flagship of the luxury sedan line-up, while the diesel derivative is the new entry-level Panamera for Porsche fans on more of a budget.
The Turbo S is available in South Africa at R2 110 000 and the diesel will arrive in September with a R766 000 pricetag.
The Turbo S, nicknamed The Beast by Porsche insiders, uses a refettled version of the 4.8-litre turbo V8 of Panamera Turbo with power and torque outputs raised to who's-your-daddy levels.
By using lightweight titanium and aluminium instead of steel in the turbocharger's turbine wheel, along with a revised engine management system, Porsche has upped outputs from 368kW/700Nm to 405kW/750Nm, with an additional 50Nm of torque available on overboost during hard throttle inputs.
As a result the S-badged luxury limo sprints to 100km/h in a foam-at-the-mouth 3.8sec and tops out at 306km/h (compared to 4.2sec and 303km/h for the Panamera Turbo). The Turbo S races to 200km/h in just 12.9sec, only a second slower than the Carrera GT, Porsche's fastest production sports-car yet. According to Porsche the added performance comes with no fuel consumption increase.
Drive is to all four wheels via a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch auto transmission with steering-wheel paddle shifters.
A sports exhaust system gives the range-topping Panamera an angrier growl, though this is mostly for outside observers as the luxurious sound-deadened cabin mutes much of the acoustics from interior occupants.
Along with Turbo S badging, the car is visually identified by its 20" 911 Turbo II rims and slightly wider rear track, while the electrically adjustable rear spoiler is finished in body colour rather than black. The upmarket cabin's finished in dual-tone leather in a wide choice of colours - even purple if that's what rocks your clock.
Keeping the big four-seater Porsche stuck to the road is a full suite of electronic driving aids including Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) which limits body roll in corners, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), an electronically controlled rear differential lock that ensures maximum traction even with hooligan driving behaviour, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), an air-suspension system that ensures the best mix of roadholding and ride quality.
I drove the Panamera Turbo S on its international launch in Germany last week and it makes a perfect ride for rich execs who like 'em big and bold. The Turbo S has immense acceleration and cruising pace on Germany's speed-unrestricted sections of autobahn, but it's a calm and muted missile, humming along in near-silence.
While delivering a relatively plush and bump-absorbing ride it also handles in a very taut and Porsche-like fashion, though its size restricts your confidence to thread it at fast pace along narrow side roads.
The new Panamera Diesel employs the familiar three-litre V6 turbodiesel used throughout the VW, Audi and Porsche family, but with a different exhaust system that produces a distinctive sound.
Its 184kW and 550Nm are delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and an auto start/stop function helps keep fuel consumption to a claimed 6.5 litres/100km - making this the most fuel-efficient Porsche yet.
Along with the ability to drive from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth on one tank, the diesel's performance figures aren't too bad either, with 0-100km/h in 6.8sec and a 242km/h top speed. - Star Motoring