2014 Porsche Panamera Turbo S unveiled

The arrival of the Turbo S takes the number of Porsche Panamera variants up to nine.

Costing a substantial £131,049 in the UK, the only visual clue that this new range-topper is any different from a regular Turbo model is some larger 20” alloy wheels.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S (2014) Rear Side

However, beneath the Panamera’s bonnet its 4.8 litre V8 engine has received a few significant tweaks. A bigger pair of turbochargers, increased fuel injection pressure and special aluminium pistons have together lifted power output from 512 bhp (382 kW / 520 PS) to 562 bhp (419 kW / 570 PS). Peak torque meanwhile has risen by 50 Nm (36 lb/ft) to 750 Nm (553 lb/ft), with 800 Nm (590 lb/ft) temporarily available on overboost for better acceleration.

Thanks to the standard-fit Sport Chrono package, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, the result is a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.8 seconds. Top speed is 192 mph (309 km/h).

Impressive performance, then. But the Turbo S isn’t actually much quicker than an ordinary Panamera Turbo, which records 4.1 seconds and 189 mph (305 km/h) respectively for those benchmark stats. At least the combined cycle fuel economy figure of 27.7 mpg (10.2 l/100km) remains unchanged.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S (2014) Front Side

The £23,146 price premium that Porsche is charging for the Turbo S doesn’t just buy the engine modifications, though.

As well as the PASM electronic damping system, the flagship Panamera comes equipped with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and lightweight Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes identifiable by their distinctive yellow calipers. Usually cost options, that lot alone adds up to almost £9,500.

The Panamera Turbo S is set to make its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show later this month. UK sales will then begin in January 2014.

Related posts:
Panamera Platinum Edition
Panamera S Hybrid

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more