 These include the first automatic start/stop in conjunction
with automatic transmission, air suspension with additional air volume on
demand, as well as active aerodynamics with a multi-stage, adjustable rear
spoiler moving up when required on the Panamera Turbo. Offering the premium
customer an unprecedented vehicle concept, the Panamera is a four-seater
Gran Turismo featuring the most supreme standard of dynamic performance and
superior elegance all in one. As Porsche's fourth model series, the Panamera
is to achieve the same outstanding position that the 911, the Cayenne, the
Boxster, and the Cayman already hold in their respective segments. While
competing with well-established models in the premium class, the Panamera
is most definitely the segment leader in terms of performance, driving dynamics
and efficiency. Indeed, these have always been Porsche's core competences,
since efficient, high-performance engines, light-weight engineering and optimised
aerodynamics have always been crucial in motorsport. Now the Panamera for
the first time combines this DNA of Porsche and the emotional character of
a sports car with the superior space and comfort of an outstanding luxury
performance saloon, creating a unique Gran Turismo in the process.
The powertrain: maximum performance and
efficiency
The unique combination of comfort, performance and efficiency offered by
the Panamera begins with the powertrain: The Panamera comes exclusively with
high-tech power units featuring the most advanced and fuel-efficient Direct
Fuel Injection. The consistent optimisation of friction on these engines
is further enhanced by innovations such as map-controlled coolant/temperature
management, as well as ancillary units with enhanced efficiency. Introducing
the PDK transmission, Porsche is offering a double-clutch gearbox for the
first time in this market segment, contributing both to enhanced fuel economy
and to an even higher standard of sporting performance. Far superior to a
conventional automatic transmission in its efficiency, the PDK transmission
is able to save even more fuel through its long, overdrive-like top gear.
At the same time it offers outstanding performance with driving dynamics
typical of Porsche through its optimum gear increments and unparalleled,
ultra-fast gearshift without the slightest interruption of engine power.
Yet a further milestone featured in the Panamera is the first start/stop
system in a premium car with an automatic transmission. And again, the result
speaks for itself: In conjunction with other specific improvements enhancing
the efficiency of the overall vehicle, which include tyres with minimum roll
resistance and disc brakes with residual brake forces likewise reduced to
a minimum, the Panamera S with its PDK Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe makes
do with just 10.8 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 26.2 mpg imp) in the New
European Driving Cycle - and it does so despite the car's superior performance.
Chassis and suspension: driving dynamics and
comfort all in one
The chassis and suspension of the Panamera is not a compromise between sporting
performance and superior comfort, but rather a combination of the two. In
its basic setting it offers a very high standard of driving comfort. But
then, at the touch of a button on the active PASM damper system, it turns
into a thoroughbred sports suspension. As another highlight the adaptive
air suspension with its extra volume added on whenever required - an absolute
innovation in automotive technology - featured as standard on the Turbo and
otherwise coming as an option on the other models, offers an even greater
variation of sporting and comfort features. As yet a further point driving
dynamics and motoring comfort may be enhanced additionally on all models
by active PDCC stability control available in combination with a fully controlled
rear axle differential. Through their Sport Plus button, the optional Sports
Chrono Packages enable the driver at the touch of a button to choose the
uncompromising high-performance set-up of all drivetrain and suspension systems
including PTM Porsche Traction Management with its fully-controlled all-wheel
drive. PTM comes as standard in both the Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo.
Body: light and functional
The body is the synthesis of lightweight technology typical of a sports car,
superior comfort, generous spaciousness, and efficient aerodynamics. The
most advanced production methods and materials are used on the body of the
Panamera, geared in all cases to specific requirements and functions. These
include all kinds of steel grades, light alloys such as aluminium and magnesium,
as well as plastics. The lightweight doors feature a load-bearing structure
made of laser-treated pressure-cast aluminium, an aluminium outer skin and
door window frames made of thin-walled pressure-cast magnesium. Thanks to
this intelligent lightweight structure, the Panamera S, for example, weighs
just 1,770 kg or a bit more than 3,900 lb. The rear seats set new standards
in the luxury performance class in terms of both comfort and variability.
Perfectly contoured as single seats, they offer maximum comfort also at the
rear through their wide range of electrical adjustment and seat climate functions
and the headrests tailored to the seats. The Panamera also comes with a highly
functional, variable luggage compartment. Tilting forward individually, the
seat backrests with additional through-loading provide luggage capacity of
up to 1,263 litres or 44.2 cu ft and keep the floor of the luggage compartment
absolutely smooth on one consistent level from front to rear. The Panamera
is the first car in its segment with a complete cover on the under-floor
also extending all round the drivetrain tunnel and rear-end silencers. This
clearly helps to reduce both air resistance and lift forces on the axles,
which in practice means lower fuel consumption and higher driving dynamics.
The visible highlight of the overall aerodynamic package is the active four-way
rear spoiler on the Panamera Turbo. Through its efficient management of control
angles and surface geometry geared to driving conditions, the rear spoiler
optimises the car's aerodynamics and performance all in one.
Acoustics: sporting sound and superior touring
comfort
Achieving a perfect balance of sound on the exhaust system, the air intake
and engine as well as the car's aeroacoustics, Porsche's development engineers
have succeeded in giving the Panamera a harmonious, characteristic sound
pattern all round, bringing together seemingly contradictory requirements.
Aeroacoustics, for example, were analysed on a clay model right from the
start at a very early point in the development process, then being optimised
by way of numerous technical improvements with specific, individual effects.
The result is a truly low level of noise within the interior most appropriate
for the luxury performance segment. But at the same time the typical Porsche
sound full of power and dynamism comes out clearly when accelerating, the
wide range of sound offered by the Panamera thus extending from discreet
modesty while cruising all the way to powerful emotion whenever the driver
wishes to experience a sporting style of motoring. Using both new and proven
technologies, Porsche's engineers in Weissach have succeeded in intelligently
solving all conflicts of interest in developing the Panamera. The result
is a car with a wide range of features most appropriate for such an outstanding
Gran Turismo: the engines are powerful and dynamic, efficient and clean.
The Panamera combines comfortable touring characteristics with sports motoring
so typical of Porsche. And despite the car's dynamic proportions and
coupé-like silhouette, the interior, apart from lots of space and
superior comfort, also offers outstanding function and variability. |
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