Hot from the launch floor, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has just unveiled the second iteration of the Panamera into our local market.
“The Panamera has long since become a respected and sought-after member of the Porsche family,” said Arnt Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance. “Now, it is time to take the next step with this new Panamera that is setting new benchmarks in both functionality and design.”
With this second-generation model, Porsche has redeveloped the four-door sedan down to the last detail. Its engines and transmissions have been redesigned, its chassis perfected, and its display and control has been further improved. The new Panamera also merges the world of ambitious sports cars and the world of comfortable cruising saloons with highlights such as rear axle steering, active roll-compensation and three-chamber air-suspension.
In terms of its overall dimensions, the Panamera measures at 5,049 mm (+34 mm) long, 1,937 mm (+6 mm) wide and 1,423 mm (+5 mm) tall. Despite the slight increase in height, the four-door car looks much lower and longer. This is primarily due to the reduced height above the rear of the passenger compartment – reduced by 20 mm – while maintaining consistently good headroom. This changes the car’s overall image completely. The wheelbase has been increased by 30 mm to 2,950 mm; this too lengthens the car’s proportions. The front wheels were shifted further forward, reducing the front overhang while the rear overhang is now longer, giving the car a more powerful appearance.
The fact that the Panamera is a four-door coupé and not a regular sedan can be seen clearer from the rear. The ‘greenhouse’ – made up of the roof, roof pillars, and window surfaces – is supported by a powerful and broad shoulder section. The most prominent components identifying the rear body are the three-dimensional LED rear lights with integrated four-point brake lights. The rear lights are interconnected by a narrow LED strip. Integrated seamlessly into the boot, which features electric opening and closing as standard, is the extendible rear spoiler. The Panamera 4S can be further differentiated by its round tailpipes.
The new generation Panamera also exhibits a completely new interior design. Touch-sensitive surfaces replace classic hard keys, and high-resolution displays merge into the interior. The digitalisation of the Porsche interior, which began with the 918 Spyder, has reached the next development stage aboard the Panamera in the form of the new Porsche Advanced Cockpit. Drivers will no doubt appreciate the low sitting position, but the key highlight is the dual 7-inch LCD displays that faces the driver directly. The tachometer remains as as analogue piece.
The large gearshift console that sits between the driver and passenger features a large 12.3-inch touchscreen with the company’s Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, which allows the driver and passenger to set their own preferences. The PCM system integrates online navigation, Porsche Connect, Apple CarPlay and voice input.
Part of the Porsche Advanced Cockpit is the new Porsche InnoDrive, which includes adaptive cruise control. The system gathers data from its navigation system, and when coupled with the signals from radar and video sensors, it can accelerate and decelerate automatically. Furthermore, gear selection and coasting can be achieved for the next 3 kilometers. The system can also take into account speed limits, inclines and bends.
Another highlight of the Porsche Panamera is the night vision assistant, which uses a thermal imaging camera to detect people and large animals and displays a colour highlighted warning indicator in the cockpit. If the optional new LED matrix headlights with 84 image points are selected, people beyond the visual range of the dipped beam headlight are also illuminated briefly if they are in the computed driving corridor, allowing the driver to react even faster. The new night vision assistant is one of the assistance systems that helps to avoid critical situations in advance.
At launch, Porsche is offering two choice of powertrains. The 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine of the Panamera 4S develops a maximum power of 440 hp (20 hp more than the previous model) and 550 Nm (30 Nm more) of torque. As a result, the Panamera 4S can reach 100 km/h from standstill in just 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package) before reaching a top speed of 289 km/h. The NEDC combined fuel consumption for the Panamera 4S is 8.2 – 8.1 l/100 km (186 – 184 g/km CO2). Compared to the first generation Panamera 4S, this represents a fuel saving of up to 1.0 l/100 km or 11%.
The 3.0-litre V6 turbo engine of the entry-level Panamera develops a total output of 330hp (20 hp more than the previous model) and 450Nm of torque (50Nm more). When power is channeled to the rear wheels via an all-new 8-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), the Panamera goes from 0-100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 264km/h. The NEDC combined fuel consumption for the Panamera is 7.5/100 km.
On the handling front, Porsche has equipped the Panamera with an adaptive air suspension with new three-chamber technology, including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM electronic damper control), the enhanced Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) system including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and active roll stabilisation, as well as a new electromechanical steering system. Furthermore, the built-in 4D Chassis Control system monitors and optimizes performance of the new Panamera. Rear axle steering is also available on the new Panamera while brake performance has also been improved.
Available in two variants, the retail base price for the new Panamera and Panamera 4S starts from RM890,000.00 and RM1,100,00.00 respectively. The stated price includes all applicable duties, except registration fee, road tax and insurance. Specifications and prices are subject to change without prior notice.
All cars sold via SDAP come with a 4-year warranty and free maintenance package which includes complimentary service, parts and labour.
