Porsche's new four door boasts everything from fuel-saving technology to a killer sound system, says Alastair Sloane
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The new four-door Porsche Panamera will arrive in New Zealand later this year equipped with a fuel-saving stop-start function - and the choice of two or four-wheel drive.
Stop-start will automatically switch off the Panamera's 4.8-litre V8 engine when the driver coasts to a stop and maintains his/her foot on the brake, at traffic lights, for example. Once the driver lifts off the brake pedal the engine kicks into life again.
The first Panamera will carry a naturally aspirated, direct-injection V8. A turbocharged variant will arrive later. The V8 unit in both the rear-drive Panamera S and the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4S develops 294kW and is mated to a seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox.
Porsche says the rear-drive Panamera S sprints from zero to 100km/h in 5.4 secs and to a top speed of 283km/h. It claims average fuel consumption of 10.8 litres/100km, and a CO2 emission rating of 253g/km.
The all-wheel-drive Panamera 4S gets up and running quicker than the standard S, sprinting to 100km/h in a claimed 5 seconds and to a top speed of 282km/h. Town and around fuel consumption is a claimed 11.1 litres/100km and CO2 exhaust emissions are at 260g/km.
Porsche has added a biturbo to the 4.8-litre V8 that sits under the bonnet of the Panamera Turbo. This unit develops 368kW and drives all four wheels via the seven-speed double gearbox. Porsche claims a 100km/h sprint time of 4.2 seconds, a top speed of 303km/h, fuel economy of 12.2 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 286g/km.
The interior of the new Porsche Panamera boasts a centre console leading back from the dashboard to the rear seats. All four seats can be adjusted to suit the occupants.
There are 13 interior colours available, including four bi-colour options. Trim finish has seven options, blending materials like carbon and olive wood. Part of the safety package includes driver and front passenger airbags, curtain airbags, and front side and knee airbag.
The new Panamera is the first Porsche to team with Berlin audio specialist Burmester.
Porsche says the Panamera's audio system offers concert-like performance from more than 2400sq cms of sound membranes.
In all, 16 speakers masterminded by 16 amplifier channels deliver more than 1000W.
The Panamera will make its world debut at the Shanghai motor show in April. The first models will go on sale in New Zealand in October.
