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1st Generation Porsche Panamera (970.1) - The Story

The Panamera came about because Porsche's foray into the SUV market with the Cayenne was a huge success and it thought a sedan would fit in with its existing model lineup. The sales results suggest Porsche was right.

Porsche Panamera 970.1 - The Story

Porsche Panamera 970.1 – The Story

Porsche planned to launch a 4-door in 1995 as the successor to the 928. It took longer than expected. The Porsche Panamera, the first series production sedan.

Porsche Panamera 970.1 (1st Generation) Models

The first Panamera variants out of the gate were the 2010 model year Panamera S, 4S, and Turbo models. The S and 4S got a 4.8 L naturally aspirated V8 while the Turbo got a twin-turbo version of the same engine. Shortly afterwards we saw Porsche add the base-level Panamera and Panamera 4 variants to the lineup, both powered by a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6. In 2011, Porsche introduced the Panamera S Hybrid, GTS, Turbo S, and diesel models. The first generation Porsche Panamera GTS was a sharper-driving 4S that hit the sweet spot with its fettled 4.8-liter, naturally aspirated V-8 good for 424 hp. The diesel got a turbodiesel V-6 spun with 247 hp and 406 lb-ft, while the S Hybrid got a supercharged V-6 plus electric motors, which combined 375 hp and 428 lb-ft.

For the drivetrain, Porsche chose Cayenne as an inspiration model installing the 4.8-liter V8 engine under the hood. For the Panamera 4S, it fitted the car with an all-wheel-drive system and a 7-speed automatic (PDK – double-clutch) gearbox. The 400 hp Porsche 4-door hatchback was good for a 5-second run from 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph).
As a top of the range version, the Panamera Turbo featured the same 4.8-liter V8 engine from the S-version, but with a pair of turbochargers that increased the power from 400 hp to 500 hp. It was available exclusively with a 7-speed automatic (PDK double-clutch) gearbox and all-wheel-drive. Inside, the Panamera Turbo designers took their inspiration from the Vertu luxury mobile phones, with high end appointments throughout. This is one quick and sporty sedan.
The rear-wheel drive and naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 make the first Panamera S a great all around passenger car with sports car energy. The Porsche Panamera 4S is an all wheel drive vehicle, with its engine placed in the front, and a 4 door saloon (sedan) body. The Porsche Panamera 4S belongs to the 970 range of cars from Porsche. Power is supplied by a double overhead camshaft, 4.8 litre naturally aspirated 8 cylinder motor.
The entry-level Panamera featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine carried-over from Audi. It was paired as standard to a 6-speed manual. A 7-speed PDK (dual-clutch) was on the options list. The base-model Panamera and Panamera 4 were introduced in 2010. While it came later than the initial variants, the base Panamera was no second class car. As a everyday passenger car it was plenty powerful with great luxury and plenty of standard features.
The Panamera 4 was the entry-level all-wheel-drive version for the Panamera, the long-waited four-door Porsche. The Panamera's headlights resembled those installed on the Cayenne. The profile resembled an elongated 911 or the 989 concept-car. On the front fenders, two vents were used to extract the air within the wheel-well and decrease the front-lift effect. In the back, the taillights resembled those found in the Cayman. In the back, on the trunk-lid, a retractable wing was installed. It was automatically extended at speeds over 120 kph (74.5 mph).
In May 2011, Porsche unveiled the diesel version for its four-door Panamera. With the introduction of that version, it switched from a road runner to a long cruiser luxury sports-sedan. Porsche didn't want to lose that market and decided to offer a diesel version for the Panamera. Since the car was designed for long travels, a diesel engine would give it a range of over 1200 km (746 miles). After the initial shock of its regular customers, soon the orders started to pick-up.
The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid marks the beginning of a new chapter of Porsche Intelligent Performance, continuing the success story of the four-door Gran Turismo. Not only is the new model the most economical Porsche of all time, it also outperforms by a mile all full hybrid production cars of its class, the luxury class, in terms of consumption and CO2 emissions. And at the same time, without any restrictions, it offers the sporty, exclusive character and custom comfort so typical of this unique Porsche Gran Turismo family.
The Turbo S featured the same 4.8-liter bi-turbo engine from the Turbo version, but with a new engine management system and improved turbochargers. The result was a 550 hp beast that could blast most of the supercars on the road with a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time of 3.8 seconds. It's all-wheel-drive and the Sport Chrono Package Turbo were standard features.
The Panamera GTS was more like a detuned Turbo than an upgraded 4S. Its outside look was on a par with the Panamera Turbo, with large air intakes on the front and standard front section from the SportDesign package, that emphasized the sporty dynamics. On the front, the bi-xenon headlights had black inner bezels and featured four LED daytime running lights. In the rear, there was the same adaptive spoiler that deployed at speeds above 205 kph (121 mph).
Based as they are on the 300-hp V-6 Panamera and Panamera 4, the Platinum Edition is available with either rear- or all-wheel drive. Outside, the cars are separated from standard V-6 Panameras by platinum silver metallic trim. The shiny stuff covers the grille and rear diffuser accents, the lower half of the side mirrors, and the trunk trim. Porsche also throws in a set of 19-inch Turbo wheels and finishes the window trim in gloss black. A sport design steering wheel is standard, as well as Porsche crests on the front and rear headrests and “Platinum Edition” lettering on the doorsill trim.

1st Generation Porsche Panamera (970.2) - The Story

Porsche announced its updated Panamera on 3 April 2013 (as a 2014 model year). The update include a refreshed look with new front and rear bumpers.

Porsche Panamera 970.2 (1st Generation) Models

Model-wise it was more of the same for the 2014 Panamera update. Technical changes included the addition of a new 3.0L twin-turbocharged Panamera S and a new E-Hybrid model. A long wheelbase "Executive" edition which gave buyers an additional 150 mm was available for selected left-hand drive markets. The design was also refreshed across the board.

The biggest change for the 2013 Panamera S was under the hood, where a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine was installed. It replaced the older 4.8-liter naturally aspirated unit. It was a win-win combination since it offered 20 hp more and it was more fuel-efficient. Unlike its predecessor, it was available exclusively with a 7-speed automatic (PDK – dual-clutch). The all-wheel-drive system was carried over, but the final drive was different to allow better fuel-efficiency.
More power and upgraded brakes, a body lowered by ten millimetres and the especially sportily tuned chassis with air suspension and PASM are the major technical modifications that make it the Panamera model capable of cutting it on the racing circuit – without sacrificing practicality. The power unit in the new Panamera GTS is a modified 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine, delivering 434 hp (316 kW) at 6,700 rpm, while maximum torque also increased from 500 Nm to 520 Nm.
Porsche is introduced the world’s first plug-in hybrid to the luxury class. The Panamera S E-Hybrid far exceeds the driving performance of the previous model. The Panamera S E-Hybrid is a systematically advanced development of the parallel full hybrids with a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery that supplies more energy and the ability to charge it externally from the electrical grid. The acceleration time from a standstill to 100 km/h was shortened by half a second to 5.5 seconds.
The Porsche Panamera Turbo got an update at the same time as the rest of the Panamera lineup for the 2014 model year. The 2014 Panamera Turbo got the same twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8 unit but now with more power. Power was 520 hp instead of 500 hp and it was coupled to the same 7-speed (PDK – double-clutch) automatic gearbox as before, but with a different final drive ratio. The Turbo was fitted with the PTM (Porsche Traction Management) all-wheel-drive system. With the Porsche Chrono Package, the car received an extra boost when needed.
The big news for 2014 was the introduction of an all-new Panamera Turbo executive model. It featured a 15 cm (5.9”) longer wheelbase than the Turbo. It was built to offer more legroom in the back. Strangely though, it was built especially for the Chinese market, where the long-wheelbase version of a car, any car, was considered an executive car by default. Basically, the Executive Panamera is an excuse for Porsche to elongate a Panamera Turbo by nearly six inches for an extra $19,800. All of the legroom goes to passengers in the back.
The sporty, luxurious character of the new Panamera Turbo S is evident not only in its driving performance but also in the key distinguishing features of its appearance. The Palladium, metallic exterior colour, which is available solely for the new Panamera Turbo S. Porsche added 50 additional horsepower than the Panamera Turbo. The 4.8-liter V8 turbocharged engine was mated to a standard PDK 7-speed automatic gearbox and gets PCCB (Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes) fitted as standard.
For the first time ever, an Executive version of the Panamera Turbo S is also available with a wheelbase that has been extended by 15 centimetres. As a result, the Panamera Turbo S Executive offers significantly more space and even more comfort, particularly at the rear. Thermal and noise-insulated windows, which include privacy glazing, the interior lighting package designed especially for the rear and a large centre console at the rear are just some of the extensive equipment options that belong to this series.
The 2014 Panamera lineup was given a great refresh. The base engine, installed in the Panamera 4 version, was an upgraded version of the previously used 3.6-liter V6. For the 2013 model year, it was mated exclusively with a 7-speed (PDK – dual-clutch) automatic gearbox and the 6-speed manual was dropped. It also gained some extra horses. The power of the V6 engine in the Panamera increased ten hp (eight kW) to 306 bhp @ 6200 rpm and 295 ft lbs @ 3750 rpm of torque.
The Panamera received a fairly substantial mid-cycle update for 2014. The base engine, installed in the Panamera version, was an upgraded version of the previously used 3.6-liter V6. For the 2014 model year, it was mated exclusively with a 7-speed (PDK – dual-clutch) automatic gearbox and the 6-speed manual was dropped. It also gained some extra horses. The power of the V6 engine in the Panamera increased ten hp (eight kW) to 306 bhp @ 6200 rpm and 295 ft lbs @ 3750 rpm of torque.
The big focus for the Panamera Diesel update was around the engine. It got a completely new 300-bhp engine and dynamic performance package. Power output was up by 50 bhp (around 20% increase) with performance improved across the spectrum. Acceleration from 0 - 60 mph is now 6.0 seconds, while the top speed has increased to 178 mph. In addition to the improved power output, dynamic performance was also optimized: For instance, the Porsche Panamera Diesel now features the controlled rear-axle differential lock with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) as standard for the first time.
The biggest change for the 2013 Panamera S was under the hood, where a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine was installed. It replaced the older 4.8-liter naturally aspirated unit. It was a win-win combination since it offered 20 hp more and it was more fuel-efficient. Unlike its predecessor, it was available exclusively with a 7-speed automatic (PDK – dual-clutch). Overall, a great update and almost the perfect passenger car.
As part of the mid-cycle Panamera refresh, Porsche introduced two "Executive" models. The Panamera 4S Executive and the Panamera Turbo Executive. These variants had especially high standards for space, ambience and ride comfort. The wheelbase and passenger compartment were extended by 15 centimetres, and both of these dimensions directly benefit comfort in the rear seating area, since the body was extended behind the B pillar in the long version.
For the 2016 model year, Porsche has added a new version of the Panamera that it has dubbed the “Edition.” Despite its weird name, the Panamera Edition adds a lot of value at a price that is only slightly north of the base model’s MSRP.

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