LA Show: Porsche previews entry-level Panamera
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 10th Nov 2016
The range will kick off with the rear-wheel drive turbocharged V6 Panamera from $210,000 before on-roads, followed by the all-paw Panamera 4 from $220,400.
The Panamera will arrive Down Under in the second quarter 2017, followed by the Panamera 4 in the second half of the year.
Porsche fans will get their first taste of the all-new model with the 4S and range-topping Turbo arriving in February, while the oil-burning 4S Diesel will arrive around the same time as the Panamera in the second quarter.
The range will be boosted to six variants by the third quarter with the arrival with the Panamera 4 e-Hybrid, which will team an electric battery system with the newly-developed V6 engine and will set buyers back $242,600 – $42,700 less than the outgoing hybrid model.
The Panamera’s 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 will produce 243kW, representing a 15kW power increase over the outgoing 3.6-litre naturally-aspirated V6 while reducing fuel consumption by 1.0 litre to 7.6L/100km.
Standard features for the range include adaptive cruise control, adaptive air suspension, four-zone climate control, LED headlights, 19-inch wheels, the new Porsche Communication Management system, digital radio, 14-way power seats, panoramic roof and park assist with surround view.
The LA show will also be used by Porsche to show off long-wheelbase variants of the Panamera, dubbed ‘Executive’.
With a 150mm longer wheelbase, the Executive variants will be targeted at chauffeur-driven buyers in markets such as the United States as well as China, where long-wheelbase cars are particularly popular.
Porsche will produce Executive versions of the Panamera 4, Panamera 4 e-Hybrid, Panamera 4S and 404kW twin-turbo V8 Panamera Turbo.
One of the options for the Executive version is the Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment System, which includes 10.1-inch tablets integrated into the back of the front seats that can be detached and used for work or entertainment purposes, and can be used outside the car.
The entertainment system will not be available in Australia until the features are properly developed for the local market.
Porsche Cars Australia has so far taken 40 orders for the next-generation Panamera, with deliveries expected to commence near the end of the first quarter next year.
| 2017 Porsche Panamera pricing* | ||
| Model | Price | Arrival |
| Panamera (a) | $210,000 | Q2 2017 |
| Panamera 4 (a) | $220,400 | Q3 2017 |
| Panamera 4 e-Hybrid (a) | $242,600 | Q3 2017 |
| Panamera 4S (a) | $304,200 | Q1 2017 |
| Panamera 4S Diesel (a) | $312,100 | Q2 2017 |
| Panamera Turbo (a) | $376,900 | Q1 2017 |
