Porsche dusted off the GTS badge to add another model to the Panamera range in LA yesterday (November 16). Describing the new saloon as the 'purist member of the Porsche Gran Turismo family' this new model promises much with its 4.8-litre V8 engine's output raised by 30- to 424bhp and chassis revisions to enhance agility. It'll do 179mph and reach 62mph in less than 4.5 seconds; all while returning 25.9mpg - or 26.4mpg on optional low friction tyres.

Riding 10mm lower than any other Panamera, the GTS also features a standard sports exhaust; a Sound Symposer (which directs intake noise into the cabin when you push the Sport button); and brakes from the Panamera Turbo. All good, but then the specification also features four-wheel drive and Porsche's PDK automatic gearbox, both rather jarring with the purist tag Porsche is associating with the car. It's certain to be good, but we can't help but wish Porsche had offered it with rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox to give real credence to its purist claims. It'll cost £90,409 when it arrives in the UK in February.

American buyers of the Panamera GTS (of which there'll be plenty) will have the option to enjoy it at a second Porsche Experience Centre from 2012. The new venue in LA will join the first Experience Centre based at Porsche's Atlanta HQ. Located in Carson, California the 53-acre site will feature circuits double the size of those in Atlanta and also house a Human Performance Centre. Ground breaking is expected early 2012, with Porsche investing over $100m in both the facilities.

Kyle Fortune - 17 Nov 2011