What's all this about?

A new Panamera, the third generation, was revealed at the end of 2023, and now Porsche is fleshing out the range with more additions to the line-up. In this instance, it's the arrival of the new Turbo S E-Hybrid and the appearance of the latest Panamera GTS.

So we're looking at the fast and fun ones?

Indeed, Porsche describes them as "the dynamic peak", and there are some trick updates to both cars that should help keep performance executives from the likes of BMW's M division, Audi Sport and Mercedes-AMG at bay.

Tell me more...

We'll start with the GTS, which Porsche says is "setting standards in pure driving appeal and agility". To that end, it has a 10mm lower ride height than the standard Panamera, while there are stiffer anti-roll bars and the air suspension has been retuned to offer sharper dynamics, although Porsche claims that this hasn't come at the expense of comfort somehow. Also included is an electronic diff lock that can divvy up torque between the back wheels.

Under the bonnet, the Panamera GTS features a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 - the first non-hybrid Panamera Mk3 to use the engine - and this has been tuned to make up to 500hp, a 20hp increase over the previous-generation GTS, and while no torque figures are quoted, Porsche says that the engine has a linear power delivery all the way to 6,000rpm and beyond. Complementing the engine is a sports exhaust system that will no doubt deliver a suitably throaty soundtrack.

Looking forward to that. What else marks the GTS out?

As ever, the GTS model has a unique look, courtesy of its darkened exterior detailing. There are tinted headlamp bezels and taillights, black inserts for the front bumper and red brake calipers set behind 21-inch centre lock alloy wheels in anthracite.

Inside, Porsche's Race-Tex suede-like upholstery is added to the electrically adjustable seats, the armrests, door panels and headlining, while grey or red interior packages can pick out the interior stitching and other parts in contrast colours. As with other GTS models, the Sport Chrono package is included as standard, which adds a ‘push-to-pass’ system that offers a performance boost for brief periods, while a Bose stereo comes as standard, just in case you get bored of listening to that V8.

I doubt that very much. What's the story with the Turbo S?

As you'd expect for a flagship model, Porsche has thrown everything at the Turbo S E-Hybrid. It takes the standard Turbo E-Hybrid's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and turns it up to 600hp, and when combined with the same 190hp electric motor as the Turbo, the Turbo S has a total system output of 782hp and a stonking 1,000Nm of torque, making it the most powerful Panamera yet. For reference, the last Turbo S E-Hybrid made up to 680hp and 850Nm.

Those figures help the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid sprint from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds, which is half a second faster than the old car, while the car's top speed is 202mph.

That certainly lives up to the Turbo S badge!

That's not all, though, because the chassis comes with a range of enhancements that have already been shown off by Porsche test driver Lars Kern to set a new Nürburgring lap record for high-performance saloons. He used a fully kitted-out Turbo S E-Hybrid to set a time of 7 minutes 24.172 seconds, which beat the previous best by 3.62 seconds.

To help achieve this, the Turbo S E-Hybrid features PCCB carbon-composite brakes as standard (signified by yellow calipers, although E-Hybrid-style acid green calipers are also available), lightweight 21-inch forged alloy centre-lock wheels and an active suspension system. The latter is exclusive to the E-Hybrid models because it makes use of their 400-volt electrical architecture to control each corner of the car’s suspension, countering pitch and roll during hard cornering to deliver greater stability.

In addition, the lap record-breaking Panamera also featured the Carbon Aerokit, which adds front airblades, side skirts and rear diffuser in carbon. There's a lip spoiler that's designed to eliminate lift at high speeds, too, while the rear wing features a Gurney flap that helps the Panamera produce 60kg of downforce at 124mph. The Aerokit also comes with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres for maximum grip, and the package will be available as an option to buyers of the Turbo S.

That all sounds very clever. What about its hybrid system?

The plug-in part of the Turbo S is largely carried over from the Turbo, so you get a 25.9kWh battery and 11kW AC charging that can take the battery from flat to 100 per cent in 2 hours and 39 minutes. Porsche quotes an all-electric range of 55 miles in city driving.

What else is new?

Those forged alloy wheels are finished in Turbonite, the name Porsche has given to its metallic grey hue. It's also used on the airblades at the front of the car and on the back bumper, where the exhausts feature a dark bronze finish, like the GTS's.

There's more Turbonite trim for the cabin, including the centre console, steering wheel and the cabin stitching. As with the GTS, the headlining is finished in Race-Tex suede, but there's far less of the material used elsewhere.

I assume there's a significant price to pay for all this loveliness?

While both cars are available to order now, you'll need deep pockets to afford them. The Panamera GTS is listed at £125,600, while the Turbo S E-Hybrid starts from £168,700, and that's before you start adding options.

Shane O'Donoghue - 25 Jun 2024