Porsche Panamera too gets a career in motorsport as the official safety car for 2011 American Le Mans Series. It is the full-fat Turbo model.

With a 4.8-liter twin turbocharged V8 developing 500 horsepower backed by sophisticated systems like PDK gearbox and PTM active all-wheel drive, the Panamera Turbo should have no problem pacing those unruly ALMS beasts. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4 seconds and keep going to a top speed of 188 mph. Apart from the livery, racing lights, and possibly a roll cage inside the cabin, it is pretty much the same as the road-going version.

Besides the Panamera, Porsche Cayenne will also serve as s the Series’ official rapid response vehicle.

“Unlike its competitors, the Panamera is not based on the platform of a previous existing model or merely a highly tuned version of a sibling model. The Panamera has been built from the ground up to provide Porsche driving dynamics and performance while simultaneously surrounding its occupants in luxury and comfort. The Panamera Turbo, with its 500 horsepower, is the ideal car for the American Le Mans Series race fields,” said David Pryor, vice president of marketing for Porsche Cars North America.

“The Porsche Panamera gives us an official safety car unmatched in motorsports,” Ed Triolo, ALMS VP of Marketing and Brand Development said.  “This reinforces the commitment and partnership between the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and Porsche, one of the world’s greatest sports cars that has had extraordinary success in the ALMS and IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama.  It is a perfect fit.”