All About the Porsche’s Next-Gen Panamera: A Symphony of Performance and Luxury

The Essence of Performance Flagship, Everything About the 3rd Generation Porsche Panamera

Porsche’s 4-door sedan, the 3rd generation Panamera, was unveiled at the world premiere event in Shanghai, China. If Porsche’s icon is defined as the 911, the models that have led Porsche’s revival are the Cayenne and Panamera. Through SUVs and 4-door sedans, Porsche has ventured into new territories and achieved successful results. In particular, the Panamera is a model that has successfully established itself in the market by reflecting the excellent driving performance pursued by Porsche and the value of luxury sedans. Notably, the Korean market sold 1,332 Panameras in 2022, following China (20,747 units), North America (4,224 units), and Germany (1,914 units), making it an important market for the Panamera, which ranks fourth in global sales. Here, we will talk about the 3rd generation Panamera we met at the world premiere in Shanghai, China.

The Important Thing is Performance, Porsche’s Electrification Strategy

Like other manufacturers, Porsche is also unveiling a strategy for electrification. They are actively applying plug-in hybrid powertrains, not just the pure electric Taycan, to convert 50% of the entire lineup by 2025 and 80% by 2030 to electric models. In particular, they greatly enhance performance, which Porsche has pursued through the plug-in hybrid system, not just efficiency. This era considers the transition to an electric powertrain a natural task. Still, due to the uncertainty about the energy situation, German manufacturers are pushing for the transition to electrification while maintaining the existing internal combustion engine for the time being.  

Porsche has chosen a bold advance. They are optimistic about the future of electrification. They showed confidence that they can meet both the contemporary challenges of improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions through the plug-in hybrid system and Porsche’s DNA of sportiness. The Panamera unveiled this time is also on this trajectory.

In the 3rd generation Porsche Panamera, a plug-in hybrid system has been added to the turbo model in addition to the existing three plug-in hybrid models. A gasoline model is equipped with a V6 engine, but the 3rd generation Panamera is expected to be the last model equipped with an internal combustion engine.

Porsche plans to release a Cayenne equipped with a pure electric powertrain and to discontinue the internal combustion engine models of Macan and 718. In the case of the 911, a hybrid model is scheduled to be released, and after 2030, a 911 equipped with a pure electric powertrain can also be seen. Porsche wants to use the internal combustion engine for a longer time by developing and producing synthetic fuel, but ultimately, it is pursuing a transition to an electric powertrain. Along with the Macan, which has already been unveiled as an electric car, Cayenne, Panamera, and the new 3-row SUV to be released in the future are also expected to be equipped with an electric powertrain. 

Performance Flagship, Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

The 3rd generation Panamera is based on the same MSB platform as the existing model. As the upcoming pure electric Panamera is expected to be based on the SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) to be unveiled in four years, it is expected to be the last generation equipped with an internal combustion engine. Thomas Friemuth, Vice President of Porsche AG’s Panamera Product Line, who we met in Shanghai, said that the release of the electric Panamera will be according to market conditions, but this can be expected as a set procedure. The regrettable point is that the Panamera Sport Turismo, a wagon-style Panamera, was less than 10% of total sales, so it will not be available from the 3rd generation model.

The transition to a plug-in hybrid continues in the fourth model, the Turbo Plug-in Hybrid. The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, with a total system output of 680 horsepower, which combines a 4-liter V8 turbo engine and a 190-horsepower electric motor, was unveiled through this world premiere, along with the Panamera 4, which can be called the entry model of the Panamera, equipped with a 2.9-liter gasoline engine with 353 horsepower. 

The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid switched from a twin-scroll to a mono-scroll turbocharger on the twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine for reduced emissions and improved fuel efficiency. On the electric side, motor cooling has been replaced with oil instead of water, and the maximum energy regeneration has increased from 45kW to 80kW. At the same time, the electric motor’s output has also increased to 190 horsepower, higher than the existing 134 horsepower.

Additionally, an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, integrated with an electric motor to reduce weight by 11 lbs, is combined. It takes 3.2 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph. The increased battery capacity allows for a range of 58 miles based on the WLTP standard using only the electric motor. Various derivative models of the Panamera and Panamera 4 were also unveiled. Compared to the previous model, the maximum output has increased by 23 horsepower to 353 horsepower, and the maximum torque has risen by 3.7 lb-ft to 37.7 lb-ft. The new Panamera takes 5.1 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph, and the top speed is 169 mph. The four-wheel-drive Panamera 4 takes 4.8 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph, and the top speed is 168 mph.

Expanded Driving Performance, Porsche Active Ride Suspension System

The Active Ride Suspension System is a new feature to note in the third-generation Panamera. About the Porsche Active Ride Suspension System, which can be selected as an option in the Panamera’s E-Hybrid model, Vice President Thomas Friemuth said it is a function that expands the driving performance of the Panamera to a broader area. 

The third-generation Panamera comes standard with the dual-chamber two-valve air suspension of the existing Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Still, the Active Ride Suspension System consists of a single-chamber air spring and two valve dampers. Through this, the vehicle maintains the horizontal except for the Active Cornering Mode, where the tilt is automatically adjusted to 3.0 degrees. The vehicle’s horizontal movement of passengers is minimized, making for a more comfortable ride. In addition, the anti-roll bar that suppresses the vehicle’s tilt has disappeared, reducing the weight by as much as the anti-roll bar and simplifying the structure. There is also the advantage of being able to save costs. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also standard. 

Interior Changes for a New Digital Experience

The changes to the vehicle’s exterior are not significant, but subtle changes are hidden everywhere. In particular, the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, which can be called a performance flagship, features a unique rear apron with a painted diffuser panel and a front apron in body color. Above the vehicle’s front license plate, an intake for cooling has been added, and the headlamps have also been trimmed to a sharper shape. From the rear, it was confirmed that the steps had been trimmed more smoothly to increase the sense of unity with the vehicle. New wheel designs and changes to the side window line have also been added. 

The most noticeable change can be found inside. A 12.6-inch digital cluster, a 12.3-inch display, and a 10.9-inch display are also added to the passenger seat, allowing various information to be checked. Videos can also be viewed through video streaming functions. However, a display with a narrow viewing angle is applied to avoid interfering with the driver’s driving. It is the same form as the passenger seat display applied to the Taycan. Unlike the display configuration of competitors who use large-screen displays, Porsche explains that it is a more intuitive change that maintains the existing Porsche design identity. 

The center console, where the existing gear knob has disappeared, has changed to a simpler look. The gear selector lever has been moved right next to the steering wheel. It has an impressive configuration of clean toggle-shaped buttons and an electrically adjustable vent without protruding vent adjustment pins. Previously arranged vertically, the cup holders are now arranged horizontally, giving a tidy impression. A chronograph is still located on the top of the dashboard, but it is also a feature for choosing three graphics. The size of the vehicle is not much different from the previous model, so there is not much difference in the interior space. 

For the first time in Panamera, a leather-free option can be selected, and it is also a feature that allows you to apply sporty materials combined with Race-Tex and Pepita fabric. 

In Korea, the Panamera 4 and Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid are scheduled to be released in the first half of next year, and the prices are $140,000 and $251,000, respectively.

Your Own Porsche to Satisfy All Tastes, Sonderwunsch 

The last scene of the unveiling of the third-generation Panamera was an introduction to Porsche’s personalization program, Sonderwunsch. Sonderwunsch is a high-customization program that Porsche is already running, a production method that creates a unique Porsche. In Korea, it is already a well-known program through the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo for Jennie Ruby Jane, which was born by suggesting design ideas from Jennie, a member of the girl group Blackpink. It is a special order production method that can increase love for the vehicle and brand loyalty because it can make your own Porsche with various vehicle exterior colors and interior configurations. Sonderwunsch is a German word that means ‘special request’ and ‘individual’s wish.’

This time, they emphasized that you can meet a differentiated Panamera through a more detailed Sonderwunsch program. The interior and exterior color composition material selection and the vehicle key can be configured in hundreds of ways. Not only that, but customers can directly participate in the Sonderwunsch program, experience the process, and finally meet their own Porsche. They can also receive a Porsche employee ID card, which enhances its meaning. Luxury brands offer the experience of configuring your vehicle under Bespoke. Still, Sonderwunsch’s way of feeling a sense of belonging to the brand is a more meaningful experience to offer buyers. This is why the more advanced Sonderwunsch program that makes Porsche owners a particular existence is expected.   

Although the third-generation Panamera may seem difficult to find major changes at first glance, this Panamera world premiere confirmed that changes are added to satisfy more consumers on a broader market while meeting increasingly strengthened regulations and enjoying sports cars. The value of the Panamera shines even more in the Porsche lineup as it expands these features in the direction that more consumers want. 

By. Won Sun Woong