Porsche Panamera GTS and Turbo S E-Hybrid return with more go

Porsche has completed the additions to the Panamera range with the introduction of two more variants confirmed for South Africa.

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Debuting after the 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid derivatives in February, the line-up sees the Turbo S E-Hybrid returning as the overall flagship, along with the GTS which tops the combustion powered range.

Turbo S E-Hybrid

A surprise absentee at the third generation Panamera’s world reveal in Shanghai in November last year, the Turbo S E-Hybrid not only becomes the most powerful sedan Stuttgart has ever made, but also the fastest of its type to have lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Faster by 5.6 seconds around the Green Hell than the previous Turbo S E-Hybrid with a time of seven minutes 24.17 clocked last Friday (12 July), the newcomer retains the plug-in hybrid powertrain from its lesser siblings, but with a V8 combustion engine instead of the 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6.

Although paired to the carryover 25.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that powers a single electric motor developing 140kW/450Nm, the inclusion of the twin-blown 4.0-litre bent-eight, which makes 441 kW on its own, has seen the combined output increase by 75kW/150Nm to 575kW/1 000Nm.

Officially the first Panamera to dip below three seconds, the Turbo S E-Hybrid will get from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 325 km/h. As before, drive is routed to all four wheels through an eight-speed PDK transmission.

Being a plug-in hybrid means only AC is charging possible via an 11 kW on-board charger Porsche says will require a waiting time of two hours 39 minutes from 0-100%. The claimed all-electric range is 88 km.

Aesthetically, the Turbo S E-Hybrid differs from the 4S E-Hybrid by means of model specific 21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, Turbo front and rear bumpers, wider door sills, chrome-plated dark bronze exhaust outlets and a metallic grey finish on the front air intakes, rear bumper and the wheels called Turbonite.

As an option, the Carbon Aerokit, used for the Nürburgring record attempt, sees the diffuser, side skirts and air inlets all featuring a carbon finish, while a gurney flip sits atop the bootlid spoiler. Accordingly, this results in 60 kg of downforce being produced at 200 km/h.

Underneath, the Turbo S E-Hybrid receives the rear-axle steering system, Porsche Active Ride control suspension and dampers, and ceramic composite brakes as standard – the latter utilising a 440 mm at the front and 410 mm at the caliper design with the option of having them finished in Acid Green.

Inside, the design and layout of the interior remain unchanged, although with the inclusion of Turbonite accents, a suede-like roofliner called Race-Tex and Turbonite stitch work.

GTS

At the other end of the scale, the Panamera GTS keeps hold of the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, but, although with the hybrid hardware, with a 15 kW bump in power over the old GTS for an output of 368 kW and the same 620 Nm of torque.

The result is a top speed of 302 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds an improved soundtrack thanks to the standard fitting of a new sport exhaust system.

Sitting 10 mm closer to the ground than the conventional Panamera 4, the GTS’ additional dynamic alterations comprise lower spring rates, revised anti-roll bars, the fitting of the two-valve Porsche Active Suspension Management system and the Porsche Torque Vectoring electronic differential lock.

Mounted on 21-inch Turbo S alloy wheels, the GTS’ exterior reworkings from the 4 additionally comprise the SportDesign package with matte black detailing, a dark bronze finish for the exhaust outlets, red brake calipers, darkened clusters for the LED head-and-taillights, black GTS badging and an anthracite grey coating for the wheels.

Unique to the interior is a Race-Tex finish for the sport front seats, roofliner and door panels, the Sport Chrono package, an optional matte carbon interior package, the otherwise optional Bose sound system and two interior pack colours; Slate Grey Nero or Carmine Red.

Price

On-sale before year-end, pricing for the Panamera GTS starts at R3 223 000 and at R4 808 000 for the Turbo S E-Hybrid. Included with both is a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.

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