The Porsche Panamera was shown to the public at the 13th Auto Shanghai International Automobile Show on April 2009. In September of 2010, Porsche subsequently made it known that it had produced over 25,000 Panameras, just one year after the 4-door luxury sedan was made available for sale to the public. The Porsche Panamera is targeted as a competitor to the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedans.
There are 5 trim levels for the Porsche Panamera. Porsche first introduced the Panamera S, Panamera 4S, and the Panamera Turbo. In February of 2010, Porsche added two more Panamera models, the Panamera and Panamera 4. These later variants became the entry-level models to the Panamera range. Despite different engine capacities, all Porsche Panamera engines for sale are mated to the 7-speed PDK transmission. The 4 in the Panamera designations signify the cars’ all wheel drive capabiltiy, which Porsche calls active all-wheel drive. Torque is distributed between the front and rear axles through an electronically variable multiplate clutch. This technology also offers automatic brake differential (ABD) and anti-slip regulation (ASR).
There are two basic layouts for Porsche Panamera engines. The Panamera and Panamera 4 are equipped with 300 horsepower (at 6,200 rpm) V6 engines. Torque is given as 295 lb ft. for these power units. These 3.6 liter units are derivatives of the V8 engines that are offered on the other Panamera models, and thus share the bigger engines’ advanced features such as Direct Fuel Injection, VarioCam Plus (infinitely-variable intake cam timing with variable valve lift), two-stage intake manifold, an on-demand oil pump, and integrated dry sump lubrication with two-stage oil extraction. As an indication of their shared characteristics, both the V6 and V8 naturally-aspirated engines have a 12.5:1 compression ratio. The normally aspirated V8s found in the Panamera S and 4S displace 4.8 liters and have a rated output of 400 horsepower at 6,500 rpm. Torque figure for these engines are 369 lb ft. In a testament to its capability, the V6-powered Panamera has received praise for its respectable acceleration and even better handling compared to its V8 brethren, because of the better weight distribution resulting from the 100 lbs saved by using the lighter engine.
The Panamera Turbo has the same basic engine as the Panamera S and 4S but is twin turbocharged. As a result, output jumps to 500 hp at 6,000 rpm. Torque also leaps to 516 lb ft. The compression ratio has been lowered from 12.5 to 10.5:1 to accommodate the turbocharger system.
However, Porsche offers the Chrono Plus option for the Panamera Turbo and with this option offering an overboost function in conjunction with the turbo system, torque output jumps to a massive 568 lb ft.
Porsche has acknowledged that they are developing a Panamera Hybrid,possibly using the system found on the Cayenne Hybrid. However, that particular variant is not yet on the market as of this writing.
