Following a number of intriguing teasers the 2017 Porsche Panamera finally makes its online debut and reveals exactly what everybody was expecting it to. The new model comes with lightly refreshed design, slightly more efficient engines, and the same blend of sportiness and comfort.
But it’s a good thing Porsche has not tampered too much with the Panamera’s recipe. t has been a successful one for years, so why change it? You don’t. You just tweak it, and that’s exactly the case with the 2017 Porsche Panamera. Design-wise, the car grand tourer now looks more of a coupe what with an even more sloping roof and 911-esque lights and aero parts, especially around the back. We have to say though, the Panamera is still far from a looker, but we’ve gotten used to that.
The new model launches with two engines including a 440 hp V6 in the Panamera 4S and a 550 hp V8 Panamera Turbo, and they both get all-wheel drive and a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK II) as standard. Not only is the new drivetrain 16 percent more fuel efficient, it makes the car – when combined with the new chassis and suspension technologies – the fastest for its size and in its class. They are already talking about a Nurburgring record for the Turbo while promising the pursuit of lap time has not ruined the Panamera’s luxuriousness or comfort. Later on there will be diesel and hybrid variants for the European market.
Among the new technology highlights of the 2017 Porsche Panamera we can mention the new three-chamber air suspension, rear axle steering and the new electronic 4D Chassis Control chassis management system, Porsche Advanced Cockpit with its smartphone-like user interfaces and configurable LED screens, Porsche Communication Management (PCM 4.1), and Porsche Connect for an all-in-one connectivity package.