Porsche Qatar rolls out new models of Panamera

Porsche Centre Doha (Al Boraq Automobiles Company) yesterday launched the second generation Panamera, in two all-wheel drive versions: the Panamera 4S and Turbo.
The Panamera has been redeveloped down to every last detail, with modifications to the engine, transmission, chassis and overall design concept. The new model further extends the boundaries between a sports car and a comfortable cruising car with technical highlights such as rear axle steering, electromechanical roll stabilisation and a three-chamber air suspension.
Speaking at the launch event, Salman Jassem al-Darwish, chairman and CEO of Porsche Centre Doha, Al Boraq Automobiles Company, said: “In the new Panamera, our customers and enthusiasts will experience a fundamentally redesigned car with new turbo engines, sharper exterior design, intuitive interior features and innovative technologies. The enhancements applied to the new Panamera make it a true segment leader, one that I am sure will be well received in Qatar.”
Two new twin-turbo engines have been introduced, combined with the brand’s first eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung transmission. The Panamera 4S, 4S Diesel and Turbo apply their power to the road via Porsche Traction Management – a permanent, fully variable all-wheel drive system.
The unique concept and performance credentials of the four-door sports car are reflected in a new design which creates a stylistic link to Porsche’s design icon, the 911.
The refined chassis has its basic layout supplemented with innovative systems such as an adaptive air suspension with new three-chamber technology and Porsche Active Suspension Management (electronic damper control), the further enhanced Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport system including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, as well as a new electromechanical steering system.
The integrated 4D Chassis Control system analyses and synchronises all chassis systems in real time for even better handling. In combination with improved brake performance, Porsche is now also introducing rear axle steering adapted from the 918 Spyder and 911 Turbo to its Panamera range.
In addition, the Porsche Panamera offers ‘the best layout variability of any model in the luxury class,’ making it the most practical for everyday use with a 40:20:40 split of the folding rear bench backrests (495 to 1,304 litres of luggage capacity). The new equipment options are the panoramic tilt roof, massage seats, ambient lighting and a 3D high-end sound system from Burmester.
The 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo engine of the Panamera 4S is a completely new development, which produces 440hp, available at 5,650 rpm and represents a 20hp increase from the previous model. Reaching 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package), the Panamera 4S has a top speed of 289 km/h. A NEDC combined fuel consumption of 8.2 – 8.1 l/100 km (186 – 184 g/km CO2) means that the new Panamera 4S offers a fuel saving of up to 1.0 l/100 km or 11% in comparison to the first generation model.
With its powerful petrol engine, the Panamera Turbo’s new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 develops 550hp at 5,750 rpm, with a maximum torque of 770 Nm between 1,960 and 4,500 rpm. It has 30hp more than its predecessor as well as a torque increase of 70 Nm. The new Panamera Turbo accelerates to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, whilst with the Sport Chrono Package the sprint time is down to 3.6 seconds.
The new turbo model features a top speed of 306 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of 3.6 kg/hp. A lower combined fuel consumption of 9.4 – 9.3 l/100 km, is up to 1.1 l/100 km less than that of the previous model (NEDC), therefore equating to CO2 emissions of 214 – 212 g/km.
Engine response can be further increased using the optional Mode Switch with the Sport Response Button. The Mode Switch, which was first introduced in the Porsche 918 Spyder, is an intuitively operated rotary ring on the steering wheel, which can be used to activate one of four driving modes (Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual). Located at the centre of the switch is the Sport Response Button. It can be used to free up the maximum power potential of the Panamera at the press of a button.
Basic retail prices are as follows: Panamera 4S - QR 481,000 and Panamera Turbo - QR676,100.