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Porsche Panamera’s Tenacity Shines in Third-Gen Production Rollout

Image Source: PuccaPhotography @ShutterStock

Despite the attention drawn by the Porsche Taycan in expressing the company’s future direction, it may seem reasonable to assume that the aging Porsche Panamera—now in its 15th year and over two generations—would either be discontinued or transformed into something fundamentally different. However, Porsche has chosen a more nuanced and unexpected route.

A Compelling Case For More

Many people view the Panamera and Taycan as similar, aside from their drivetrains, and it’s challenging to differentiate between the two at a glance. Both are available in sedan and Sport Turismo body styles, offering similar utility, with the main difference being the choice between EV and traditional combustion engines (with the option of a hybrid). The upcoming Panamera retains this similarity, with Porsche stating that its improvements in driving dynamics will provide excitement for Porsche enthusiasts.

The Argument For Revamped Driving Dynamics

Porsche claims that the new Panamera will drive much more like a 911, achieved by overhauling the suspension system. The standard inclusion of PASM, found in all modern 911 cars, gives the sedan models an active damper setup that aligns with the brand’s sporty models. The Panamera will also debut Porsche Active Ride suspension technology, utilizing electronically controlled hydraulic motors to optimize performance and comfort in all situations. Optional features such as rear-axle steering enhance the car’s maneuverability, especially in tight spaces.

Smaller Tweaks Elsewhere

In terms of powertrain options, the new Panamera shares more with the latest Porsche Cayenne SUVs than with the 911. The fully-ICE base trims will feature a familiar 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 producing 348 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. The E-Hybrid trims, on the other hand, are expected to stand out, with all-wheel drive models sporting a revised 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, a beefed-up 8-speed PDK transmission, and a more sophisticated electric motor, offering a combined total of 670 hp and 685 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo S E-Hybrid variant is expected to deliver an even more impressive 729 hp. These high-performance models are likely to complete the 0-60 mph sprint in the low-3-second range.

Day-to-Day Considerations

The new Panamera E-Hybrid models have additional electric range. The Turbo variant can travel up to 56 miles on battery power alone due to its larger 25.9 kWh battery. Additionally, a new 11 kW onboard charger quickens the juice-up process thanks to more advanced plug-in architecture.

If you’ve ever sat inside a Taycan or one of the brand new Cayennes, you’ll notice a familiar theme inside the cabin when it comes to the upcoming Panamera. With the EV’s interior design already fully amalgamated into the Cayenne, upcoming models are expected to follow suit, as was always intended by Porsche. This means that across the board, the Porsche line-up will share many of the same design cues and tech amenities—not a bad thing, as this will bring about some uniformity when it comes to the total Porsche experience.

Pricing & Availability

Right now, only pricing information for the base Panamera and the Panamera 4 have been revealed, with each car starting at $101,550 USD.

and $108,550 USD respectively. Orders are now being accepted and the first deliveries are expected by the spring of next year. There are no specific details yet on the Turbo E-Hybrid (or any subsequent hybrid models), but it is expected that it will surpass the outgoing Turbo E-Hybrid’s starting price of $197,850 USD. Porsche will share more information as the official on-sale date approaches.

Image Source: PuccaPhotography @ShutterStock

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