Porsche has given its Panamera sports saloon an update for 2020. Porsche’s only four-door car that isn’t an SUV, the Panamera competes with high-performance sports saloons such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 63 – so it’s no surprise that the latest facelift includes plenty of new tech inside and out, as well as significantly boosted engines.
Big improvements have been made to the Panamera’s plug-in hybrid options, too, bringing them right up-to-date and cementing Porsche’s position as perhaps the most desirable maker of performance hybrids.
2020’s update applies not only to the Panamera saloon (which is really a hatchback, if you consider its tailgate) but to its Sport Turismo estate and lengthened Executive models as well. It’s available in 4, GTS, Turbo S and 4S E-Hybrid forms, all offering remarkable performance – as you’d expect from a sports car manufacturer such as Porsche.
Visually sharper all round
Previously, Panameras had to be specially optioned with Porsche’s ‘Sport Design’ bumpers, but for 2020 they’re standard, giving the car a significantly more muscular look thanks to large air intakes, a body-coloured horizontal element to add width and redesigned light clusters featuring horizontal daytime running lights.
Turbo S models are even more striking, with twin DRLs sitting wider apart than they were before.
At the rear, newly designed LED light clusters are linked with a revamped full-width light strip – again, this is in a bid to add width. The strip runs almost seamlessly across the boot-lid, giving the rear of the Panamera a very Tron-esque vibe, especially at night.
A total of 10 different wheel designs are available, in 20- or 21-inch sizes.
Engine upgrades across the board
While basic Panamera and Panamera 4 models retain the same 330hp, twin-turbocharged V6 engines as they had previously, other models have seen performance boosted. The GTS, for example, now produces 480hp from its twin-turbocharged V8 engine – 20hp more than it did before.
The more remarkable changes are to be found to the Turbo S model, where Porsche has boosted power by a remarkable 80hp to bring a total of 630hp from its 4.0-litre V8. This gives acceleration from 0-62mph in just 3.1 seconds, and a top speed of 196mph.
Unsurprisingly, this translates to amazing performance out on track, where a Porsche test driver completed the gruelling Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in 7:29.81 minutes – a new record for this class of car. Make no mistake, this is one seriously quick four-seater.
Tweaks to the chassis compliment those made to the engine range – revamped suspension management tech aims to improve comfort while reducing body lean in fast corners.
Hybrid model features bigger battery
The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid hasn’t escaped adjustment – it now features a bigger battery, improving its all-electric range to 33 miles. It’s not just a green machine, though, with 560hp on tap from its V6 engine and electric motor.
With this combo on-board, it’ll cover 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and go on to a top speed of 185mph.
Specs and price
The latest Porsche tech has been applied to the interior, including wireless Apple CarPlay, standard lane-keeping and some glitzy additions such as night vision.
Orders can be placed now, with the range starting at £72,890 for a Panamera 4 and topping out at £135,610 for the new Turbo S. First deliveries will begin in October.
