Porsche Panamera GTS (2024 – Present)

Current Porsche Panamera GTS – Ultimate Guide

The Porsche Panamera GTS (Gran Turismo Sport) has long been considered the “sweet spot” of the Panamera lineup. For the 2025 and 2026 model years (the 972 generation), Porsche has doubled down on this reputation, positioning the GTS as the pure, driver-focused alternative to the ultra-heavy, high-tech E-Hybrid models. While the Turbo E-Hybrid models chase world-ending torque figures with battery assistance, the GTS remains dedicated to the soul of a traditional V8 sports sedan.

1. The Heart: A Revised 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8

At the center of the new GTS is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that has been re-engineered for more “linear” power delivery. Porsche specifically tuned this engine to mimic the feel of a naturally aspirated power plant, with a power curve that continues to build all the way to the redline.

• Horsepower: 493 hp (a 20 hp increase over the previous generation).
• Torque: 486 lb-ft.
• –60 mph: 3.6 seconds (official) / 3.1 seconds (real-world testing).
• Top Speed: 188 mph.

The soundtrack is equally vital. The GTS comes standard with a Sport Exhaust System featuring unique Dark Bronze tailpipes, designed to deliver a raw, guttural V8 growl that is noticeably more emotive than the muted tones of the hybrid trims.

2. Precision over Raw Power

The GTS isn’t the fastest Panamera in a straight line, but it is arguably the most agile. It sits 10 mm lower than the standard Panamera and features a GTS-specific tune for the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

• The Suspension: It utilizes a two-chamber, two-valve air suspension system that provides a greater spread between “Comfort” and “Sport Plus” modes.
• Dynamic Handling: To keep the nearly 4,700-lb sedan flat through corners, Porsche equipped it with stiffer anti-roll bars and an electronically controlled rear-differential lock (PTV Plus).
• The “Pure” Advantage: Because it lacks the heavy battery pack and electric motor of the E-Hybrid models, the GTS feels more “tossable” and responsive to steering inputs, making it the clear choice for mountain passes or the occasional track day.

3. The GTS Aesthetic

You can spot a GTS by its “menacing” trim. Porsche’s signature GTS treatment includes:

• Blacked-out Accents: Satin black logos, side skirts, and window trim.
• Wheels: 21-inch Turbo S center-lock wheels finished in Anthracite Grey (a nod to Porsche’s GT race cars).
• Lighting: HD-Matrix Design LED headlights with a darkened tint and a continuous taillight strip.

Inside, the cabin is a mix of luxury and motorsport. It features a heavy dose of Race-Tex (Porsche’s high-grip Alcantara alternative) on the roof lining, armrests, and door panels. The 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats are standard, ensuring you stay planted during high-G cornering.

4. Tech: The Porsche Driver Experience

The GTS adopts the new “Porsche Driver Experience” interior concept, which balances digital screens with physical haptics.

• Curved Display: A 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver.
• Passenger Screen: An optional 10.9-inch display that allows the passenger to stream media or assist with navigation (unviewable by the driver to prevent distraction).
• Dolby Atmos: The optional Burmester and Bose systems now include Dolby Atmos support for a more immersive audio experience.

The Verdict

The current Panamera GTS starts at approximately $156,000–$162,000. While the Turbo E-Hybrid offers more sheer speed, the GTS offers more character. It is a car for the Porsche enthusiast who wants a V8-powered daily driver that feels like a sports car first and a luxury limousine second.

Our Take

The current Porsche Panamera GTS is widely regarded as the “heart” of the Panamera range. While other models in the lineup lean heavily into electrification, the GTS doubles down on the classic, visceral appeal of a twin-turbo V8 without the added weight of a hybrid battery. It’s a car that prioritizes driver engagement and mechanical soul over the sheer, silent speed of its electrified siblings.

Mechanically, the GTS sits lower and stiffer than the standard models, featuring a unique suspension tune and a revised 493 hp V8 designed to deliver power linearly, much like a naturally aspirated engine. It’s roughly 700 pounds lighter than the flagship Turbo S E-Hybrid, a difference you feel instantly in the corners. It feels more “tossable” and alert, using its standard rear-biased all-wheel drive and sport exhaust to remind you that, despite the four doors and spacious hatch, its DNA is shared with the 911.

The current Porsche Panamera GTS is widely regarded as the “heart” of the Panamera range. While other models in the lineup lean heavily into electrification, the GTS doubles down on the classic, visceral appeal of a twin-turbo V8 without the added weight of a hybrid battery. It’s a car that prioritizes driver engagement and mechanical soul over the sheer, silent speed of its electrified siblings.

Mechanically, the GTS sits lower and stiffer than the standard models, featuring a unique suspension tune and a revised 493 hp V8 designed to deliver power linearly, much like a naturally aspirated engine. It’s roughly 700 pounds lighter than the flagship Turbo S E-Hybrid, a difference you feel instantly in the corners. It feels more “tossable” and alert, using its standard rear-biased all-wheel drive and sport exhaust to remind you that, despite the four doors and spacious hatch, its DNA is shared with the 911.

Who is the Panamera GTS perfect for?

• The Purist Parent: You need the four seats and the “hatchback” practicality for school runs or weekend trips, but you aren’t ready to give up the guttural roar of a V8 or the feeling of a car that communicates through the steering wheel.
• The Hybrid Skeptic: If you find the complexity and heft of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) unnecessary and prefer a more traditional, lightweight (relatively speaking) performance sedan, the GTS is the only V8 option left that isn’t tethered to a charging cable.
• The “Goldilocks” Buyer: You find the base V6 models a bit too polite, but the 771-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid feels like overkill (and its $230,000+ price tag feels like a bit much). The GTS offers the most “Porsche” personality of the bunch at a price point that, while premium, focuses on the driving experience rather than tech-spec bragging rights.
• The Design-Conscious Driver: If you prefer the “menacing” look—satin black accents, darkened light housings, and center-locking wheels—the GTS provides a pre-configured, aggressive aesthetic that looks like it belongs on a circuit rather than a corporate parking lot.

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