Porsche has recently introduced the third generation Porsche Panamera to the world and it is now available to order in Malaysia. The popular luxury sports sedan has been improved in every way possible – from tech to power – which greatly improves the car over the previous generation.
The sports car manufacturer’s luxury sedan emphasises its sporting character with even more powerful drive systems. The profile is enhanced by a fundamentally modernised operating concept and plenty of innovative technology. These include the new Porsche Active Ride suspension system, which combines a significantly higher level of comfort with the sporting driving characteristics for which Porsche is famous for.
The integration of the user’s own digital ecosystem into the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) offers new ways of interacting with the car. The technical yet elegant, dynamic design of the new Panamera gives the model line’s attractive proportions a fresh update. A wide range of driver assistance systems and a fundamentally redesigned, driver-centred interior enhance the driving experience.
STATE-OF-THE-ART SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
The new Panamera already comes with dual-chamber two-valve air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard. The two-valve technology separates the rebound and compression stages of the damper control and therefore offers an even wider range between comfort and sportiness: the system noticeably dampens impacts from transverse joints and road damage while at the same time ensuring more body stability in dynamic driving situations as a result from this faster, more sensitive chassis response and noticeably smoother suspension behaviour.
At the same time, the suspension has the potential to significantly increase the damping force in the rebound and compression directions depending on the situation, thereby optimising the car’s performance, particularly evident in fast cornering situations. The car’s handling can be further improved thanks to the optional rear-axle steering.
BOOSTED FOR MORE POWER AND TORQUE
Modifications have been made to the new Panamera to boost pressure, fuel injection flow rate and ignition timing to optimise the performance of the 2.9-litre V6 turbo engine, alongside its further developed 8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). Enabling even better interaction between engine and transmission, the new Panamera now generates 353PS and 500Nm of torque – an increase of 23PS and 50Nm compared to its predecessor. This shortens the Panamera’s sprint from zero to 100kph in 5.1 seconds and boosts its top speed to 272kph.
An electric brake booster has also been deployed in the new Panamera, significantly improving the pedal feel and brake precision. The front brake discs with six-piston fixed callipers have also been increased to 360mm – an increase of 10mm from its predecessor, while the rear brake discs remain at 330mm with four-piston fixed callipers.
REDESIGNED FOR PERFORMANCE – INSIDE AND OUT
The new Panamera retains the characteristic lines and proportions of the model line. It measures 5,052mm in length and is 1,937mm wide and 1,423mm high. Its fundamentally revamped appearance lends the sports sedan an even more expressive and sporting look.
Up front, an additional air intake above the number plate compensates for the increased air requirement of the drive systems. The redesigned window line in the sideview reinforces the sedan character of the four-door sports car. The outer edges of the rear window are flushed with the contour of the body, creating harmonious lines at the rear of the car.
The latest driver-centred control concept is also featured in the new Panamera. An ideal balance between digital and analogue control elements, the Porsche Driver Experience control concept positions the input and output elements essential for driving along the driver’s axis.
The gear selector lever is located at the left of the steering wheel. The mode switch for the Normal, Sport and Sport Plus driving programmes and the assistance control stalks are also directly accessible to the driver. This means that they don’t need to take their eyes off the road in order to adjust the drive programmes and assistance systems.
An optional passenger display closely integrates the passenger into the driving experience. The 10.9-inch screen displays vehicle performance data on request. It also allows operation of the infotainment system and supports video streaming while the car is in motion. In order to avoid distracting whomever is behind the wheel, the passenger display cannot be seen from the driver’s seat.
HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE GOES DIGITAL
The new Panamera will become an integral part of the driver’s digital ecosystem. To log in with their personal Porsche ID, all customers need to do is scan a QR code displayed in the PCM with their smartphone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enable the linking of smartphone and vehicle data for improved usability.
The integration of vehicle functions from the MyPorsche app into Apple CarPlay enables optimised operation of digital functions and creates a clearer overview. Functions such as air conditioning, seat massage and ambient lighting can be controlled directly via Apple CarPlay or with the Siri voice assistant.
Porsche equips the Panamera with standard Matrix LED headlights. Available as an option, the high-resolution HD Matrix LED lighting system, which has more than 32,000 pixels per headlight, new lighting features such as dedicated lane brightening and illumination range of up to 600 metres. Porsche has significantly upgraded the range of assistance systems in the new Panamera. The standard active speed assistant now interacts with traffic sign recognition. If the system is active, the Panamera will not automatically drive faster than the appropriate speed limit.
The third generation Porsche Panamera is now available to order. Prices starts from RM1,300,000.00. For the level of upgrades Porsche has engineered into the Panamera, the price might feel like a steal.
