Porsche Panamera 971 – The Story
The Panamera received a fairly substantial mid-cycle update for 2014 model year. Another refresh came for the 2021 model year.
971 Story / 971.1 Model Guides / 971.2 Model Guides / Misc Data / News & Updates
Porsche launched the second generation Panamera for the 2017 model year. Overall, it was a wider, lower and sleeker looking car with a lot of technical updates to boot. Gone was the awkward hunchbacked appearance and in was a sportier and more elegant looking body to complement the already strong underlying platform. Complementing the fresh exterior was a completely reimagined interior, replete with touch-capacitive surfaces and massive display screens. The development of the second Panamera generation (G2) involved multiple streams: in addition to the Gran Turismo with a standard and extended wheelbase, a third variant was developed on the same platform: the Sport Turismo.
Powertrains were all new for the second generation as well; the base Panamera and Panamera 4 getting a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 325 hp and 332 lb-ft, while the Panamera 4S and S got an all-new turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The 4S also came with an E-Hybrid variant, that added an electric motor and produced a strong 552 hp and 553 lb-ft. The second generation GTS had a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 packed a 454-hp and 457-lb-ft, later updated to 473 hp with the 2021 refresh. The Panamera Turbo's 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 had 542 hp and 568 lb-ft, while the batshit crazy Turbo S E-Hybrid was the new top model with 680 hp and 627 lb-ft. As expected, performance numbers improved across the board and thanks to chassis systems like the three-chamber air suspension, rear-axle steering and the PDCC Sport electromechanical roll stabilization systems, the Panamera cemented its rightful place as the top performance four door sedan in the market.
In 2021, the Panamera got another refresh (still considered second generation Panamera). The range got a redesigned front fascia, with a different bumper and lower apron. In the back, the revamped light strip ran seamlessly over the trunk lid, with an adapted contour and new LED taillights were installed. Porsche introduced a non-hybrid Turbo S variant, with the Turbo's 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 but now up to 621 hp and 605 lb-ft. As before, every single Panamera variant comes with a PDK dual-clutch transmission, now boosted from seven to eight speeds. With this update almost all models were now made available in the Grand Turismo, long-wheelbase Executive and Sport Turismo body styles.
Type: 955 & 957 Generation & Chassis: First Generation (9PA) Chassis E1 / Manufacturer: Porsche AG / Production Years: 2002 - 2010 / Model Years: 2003 - 2010 / Body Style: 5-Door SUV / Layout: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive/ Engines: 3.2 L VR6, 3.6 L VR6, 4.5 L V8 (S), 4.5 L TT V8 (Turbo/Turbo S), 4.8 L V8 (S/GTS), 4.8 L TT V8 (Turbo/Turbo S), 3.0 L turbodiesel V6 / Transmission: 6-speed Automatic (2 versions) / Unveil of official photos: 2002 March 4 / Premiere: 2002 September 25 at Paris motor show press day / Market launch: 2002 December
All the usual variants made an appearance for the second generation Panamera. The Panamera 4S, 4S Diesel and flagship Panamera Turbo were available from launch. In March 2017, Porsche unveiled the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid for the 2018 model year. It got the 4.0 L V8 engine from the Panamera Turbo, paired with an electric motor, combining for 671 bhp, becoming the official top dog in Panamera pecking order. The Panamera Sport Turismo debuted in March 2017 at the Geneva Motor Show and is instantly popular, being offered in a few models. The Panamera lineup also has several variants available in the longer wheelbase Executive body.
For the 2021 model year, the Panamera featured a redesigned front fascia, with a different bumper and lower apron. The previously optional Sport Design front end was featured as standard on the facelifted version. In the back, the revamped light strip ran seamlessly over the trunk lid, with an adapted contour and new LED taillights were installed. The three-piece retractable wing was kept. Models stayed the same, but now all variants are available as regular, Executive or Sport Turismo body styles. If you are keeping count, that means you can currently choose from 21 unique Porsche Panamera models in a dealership.
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