Porsche Panamera Facelift Gets New LWB, 410HP Turbo V6 and Plug-in Hybrid Variants [w/Video]

Following yesterday’s leaked photos, Porsche dropped official images and information about its refreshed 2014 Panamera range.

Leaving aside the light cosmetic tweaks shown in the photos, the 2014 Panamera’s big changes are the addition of an S E-Hybrid plug-in model developing 410hp (416PS), the debut of two Executive versions that come with an extended wheelbase (+150mm or 5.9 in.) and the launch of an entirely new 3.0-liter biturbo V6 engine for the Panamera S and 4S models.

Porsche also dropped the manual gearbox option, and now offers only the PDK dual clutch and 8-speed automatic transmissions.

Porsche says the new Panamera range is more economical, with fuel savings of up to 56 percent, in the case of the S E-Hybrid. The parallel, plug-in hybrid model has an electric motor producing 94hp (95PS or 70 kW), more than double the power of the previous version, and draws its energy from a new 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery (five times the capacity of the older battery). It is linked to a 316hp V6 gasoline unit.

The S E-Hybrid has an average fuel consumption of 3.1 liters/100 km (75.8 US mpg) – apparently, with the use of the battery. At the same time, the hybrid is faster to 100 km/h, with an acceleration time of 5.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph). It has also a higher all-electric driving range, estimated at 36 kilometers (22.3 miles) in NEDC-based testing. Furthermore, it can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h (83.9 mph) in all-electric operation.

The battery charges within two and a half hours via the integrated on-board charger and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC) and in less than four hours at a conventional household electrical outlet in Germany.

The Executive models are another premiere for the Panamera, offering a 150-mm (5.9-inches) longer wheelbase which translates into a more spacious rear seating area. Available for the Turbo and 4S models, the Executive package comes with added features, more space and better ride comfort.

There’s also a new 3.0-liter V6 biturbo engine that replaces the previous 4.8-liter V8 in the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, and it is also used in the Panamera 4S Executive. The new unit develops 414hp (420PS) and 520 Nm (383.5 lb-ft) of torque – 20hp and 20Nm more than the outgoing V8.

Most Panamera models are equipped with the 7-speed PDK gearbox, with the 8-speed Tiptronic S offered in the Panamera Diesel and Panamera S E-Hybrid. Another new addition to the Panamera range is the optional LED headlights.

Cosmetic tweaks include newly shaped headlights and bumper with larger air vents and different turning signals, new LED tail light clusters, a flared bumper, modified tailgate and a relocated license plate holder.

The 2014 Porsche Panamera will receive its world premiere at Auto China in Shanghai on April 21, with market launch scheduled for July 2013 in Europe.

In Germany, prices start at €81,849 ($105,000) for the Panamera Diesel and €83,277 ($106,700) for the Panamera. In 2014, Porsche will introduce a new diesel engine with 300 hp that will replace the current unit along with the top-of-the-range Panamera Turbo S and Panamera Turbo S Executive models.

By Dan Mihalascu

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