Refreshed Panamera breaks cover in Shanghai

PORSCHE AG’s Müller presenting the new S E-Hybrid during last week’s opening of the Auto Shanghai 2013 in China

History repeats itself. In 2009, Porsche stunned visitors of the Shanghai Auto Show when it first unveiled the Panamera, a new and intriguing alternative to traditional high-end luxury and full-size cars.

The German luxury sports carmaker pulled off another surprise this year in the same event, when it presented the second-generation Panamera, now sporting newly designed headlights and intake scoops, gently reshaped front and rear bumpers, Boxster- and Cayman-inspired tail lights as well as additional variants that included two long-wheelbase and plug-in hybrid versions.

Chauffer-driven millionaires and car collectors should be glad to know that the refreshed 2014 Panamera is now offered in two extended wheelbase (15 cm longer) versions—the Turbo Executive and the 4S Executive.

However, the most notable addition in the 2014 Panamera’s already extensive line-up—there are now 10 variants to choose from—is the S E-Hybrid, regarded as the world’s first plug-in hybrid in its class.

Porsche’s success story

“The Porsche Panamera and China—that is a very special success story. Exactly four years ago, we introduced the first Panamera to the world here in Shanghai—and very intentionally here. Because it was clear to us that (the Panamera) would be precisely the right model for this future market. And we were not mistaken. In 2012, one out of three Panamera cars were delivered to China. Since then, China has gained in importance and become the second largest Porsche market in the world,” announced Porsche AG president and CEO Matthias Müller during last week’s opening of the Auto Shanghai 2013 in China.

As the 2014 Panamera becomes available in the country, buyers here should feel more privileged considering all the upcoming variants will be in left-hand version, meaning, other countries in Southeast Asia won’t be able to enjoy the extensive selection that will be available to Philippine buyers.

THOSE who prefer being driven and at the same time long for utmost comfort and luxury should find the 4S Executive (as well as the Turbo Executive) most appealing. Photos by Charles E. Buban

PGA Cars is the exclusive importer and distributor of the Porsche brand here in the Philippines.

Number of upgrades

The new S E-Hybrid has been given a number of upgrades to make it even more appealing to environmentalist tycoons. Powered by a 95-horsepower electric motor (draws energy from a newly developed lithium-ion battery) that works in tandem with a 321-horsepower, 3-liter V6 supercharged gasoline engine, the Euro 6-compliant Panamera S E-Hybrid could attain a 32.5 kilometers per liter fuel efficiency; deliver 412 hp that enables this car to sprint from zero to 100 kph in just 5.5 seconds; attain a top speed of 270 kph; and best of all, may be fully charged in just two and a half hours (at 16 Amperes) or in less than four hours (at 10 Amperes) using household electrical outlet.

Using the battery alone, the S E-Hybrid could cover a distance of between 18 km to 36 km (depending on road condition and driving habit), attain a top speed of 135 kph as well as sprint from zero to 100 kph in 6.1 seconds.

Those who prefer being driven and at the same time long for utmost comfort and luxury should find the Turbo Executive or the 4S Executive most appealing.

Both models offer larger rear doors that allow more comfortable entry, rear bucket seats that offer 12-cm longer legroom and a backrest that offer six additional degrees of adjustment angle.

The chassis of both models are tuned for comfort and features a standard air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system.

As standard, both models are equipped with automatic soft-close system that gently pulls the door close and lock them afterward; low-noise and thermally insulated window glasses that minimizes outside noise as well as harsh rays of the sun; and privacy glass that guards against unwanted looks.

Providing for a pleasant ambience in the rear seating area is a lighting package that included footwell illumination, illuminated door storage bins, dimmable lighting fixture in the roof console and two additional reading spots.

New engine

For the second-generation Panamera, Porsche developed an entirely new engine for the S and 4S variants. Even though both models are now equipped with a smaller V6 gasoline engine, biturbo charging enables the engine to deliver 5 percent more power (at 420 horsepower) compared to its previous engine.

All the gasoline-powered variants of the 2014 Panamera now deliver greater fuel efficiency as well as power. While the V6 engine that powers the Panamera and the 4 have increased by 10 hp (at 310 hp) fuel consumption has improved to deliver more than 11.1 kpl.

While power on the naturally aspirated V8 engine installed in the GTS variant increased by 10 hp (at 440 hp), fuel efficiency improved to 9.3 kpl. While power increased by 20 hp (at 520 hp) in the Turbo variant, fuel consumption was reduced to 9.8 kpl.

The same goes with the 3-liter turbocharged Diesel variant: As power remained unchanged (still at 250 hp), fuel consumption improved to 15.8 kpl.

Last year has been great for the Panamera. As Porsche’s second best-selling model—with 27,331 units sold worldwide—it is second only to the Cayenne SUV (which sold 77,822 units), the arrival of the refreshed variants is expected to further improve its sales this year: In China alone (the car’s biggest market), sales is expected to expand between 7 to 10 percent.