By: Dave Abrahams
Los Angeles - Why anybody would want to spend a small fortune on one of the world's most rewarding sports sedans and then pay somebody else to drive it, we can't fathom, but Porsche evidently believes such people exist.
At next week's Los Angeles motor show Porsche will be launching a long-wheelbase Executive version of the Panamera, designed as a chauffeur car, as well as a new three-litre turbopetrol V6 (which is not the same as the much more powerful 2.9-litre biturbo in the existing Panamera S and 4S) for the new baseline Panamera and Panamera 4 derivatives.
The new body, with an extra 150mm of wheelbase, will be available with the new 243kW three-litre V6 as the Panamera Executive 4, the 324kW 2.9-litre biturbo V6 as the Executive 4S and the 404kW four-litre twin turbo V8 as the Executive Turbo. Each will have all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled damping, a panoramic glass roof, power-adjustable heated seats front and rear, and roll-up sunblinds behind the rear headrests.
In addition, the Executive 4S will feature rear-axle steering and soft-close doors, while the range-topping Executive Turbo will come with all that plus four-zone climate control and dynamic LED main headlights. Optional extras for the Executive models include a large rear centre console (which can also have two folding tables) and an inductive antenna connection for a second smartphone.
PRICES:
Panamera - R1 340 000
Panamera 4 - R1 369 000
Panamera 4 Executive - R1 477 000
Panamera 4S Executive - R1 799 000
Panamera Turbo Executive - R2 644 000
These include a three-year service plan.
The new Panamera, Panamera 4 and Executive models are available to order now for delivery in the second quarter of 2017.