The Panamera GT will finally be revealed in Shanghai in a month's time, but Porsche is still drip-feeding information into the media and public's half-full glass.
Porsche has revealed some technological advances that debut in the four-door car, including stop-start fuel saving technology in the new PDK dual-clutch transmission, multi-stage air suspension that can add volume on-demand from the driver, a fully automated four-way rear wing spoiler on the Turbo (pictured above).
The PDK transmission will be standard on all three Australian models, which should hit all at once in October - a base S (usually the second tier in other models), all-wheel-drive 4S, and all-wheel-drive Turbo top-spec.
Porsche is claiming a first with the stop-start tech matched to a dual-clutch, and quotes 10.8 litres/100 kilometres on the 1770kg base S in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC - four repeated ECE-15 driving cycles and one urban cycle).
The active PASM dampers remain, but the Turbo also gets a boost of sorts, with extra air able to be pumped in on demand. This will be optional on the S and 4S, as is Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and a rear LSD.
The rear seats will have electrical adjustment and seat heaters/coolers, and can split-fold to open up the cargo area to a flat-floored 1,263 litres.
The Panamera S, 4S and Turbo are scheduled for sale in Australia from October, and priced from $270,200.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Porsche's Gran Turismo - a Unique Synthesis of Sporting Performance and Sheer Luxury
March 19, 2009
The powertrain: maximum performance and efficiency
The blend of comfort, performance and efficiency offered by the Panamera begins
with the powertrain.
The Panamera comes exclusively with high-tech V8 engines featuring the most
advanced and fuel-efficient Direct Fuel Injection. The consistent optimisation of
friction on these engines is further enhanced by innovations such as map-controlled
coolant/temperature management, as well as ancillary units with enhanced
performance.
Introducing the PDK transmission as standard on all three Australian models,
Porsche is offering a double-clutch gearbox for the first time in this market segment.
The result is improved fuel economy and an even higher level of sporting
performance.
Far superior to a conventional automatic transmission in its capabilities, the PDK
transmission is able to save even more fuel through its long, overdrive gears. At the
same time it offers outstanding performance with driving dynamics typical of Porsche
through its optimum gear increments and unparalleled, ultra-fast gearshift without the
slightest interruption to engine power.
Yet a further milestone featured in the Panamera is the first start/stop system in a
premium car with this type of transmission.
In conjunction with other specific improvements enhancing the efficiency of the
Panamera - which include tyres with minimum roll resistance and disc brakes with
residual brake forces likewise reduced to a minimum - the Panamera S with its PDK
gearbox makes do with just 10.8 litres/100 kilometres in the New European Driving
Cycle, and it does so despite the car's superior performance with 294 kW and 0-100
acceleration time of 5.4 seconds.
Chassis and suspension: driving dynamics and comfort all in one
The chassis and suspension of the Panamera is not a compromise between sporting
performance and superior comfort, but rather a combination of the two. In its basic
setting it offers a very high standard of driving comfort. But then, at the touch of a
button on the active PASM damper system, it turns into a thoroughbred sports
suspension.
As another highlight, the adaptive air suspension with extra volume added whenever
required - an absolute innovation in automotive technology - featured as standard
on the Turbo and otherwise as an option on the S and 4S, offers an even greater
variation of sporting and comfort features.
Driving dynamics and comfort are further enhanced with Porsche Dynamic Chassis
Control (PDCC) and limited-slip rear differential, which will be standard on the
Panamera Turbo and available as an option on the S and 4S.
Through the Sport Plus button, the optional Sports Chrono Packages enables the
driver to choose the uncompromising high-performance set-up of all drivetrain and
suspension systems including Porsche Traction Management (PTM) with its fullycontrolled
all-wheel drive. PTM is standard in both the Panamera 4S and the
Panamera Turbo.
Body: light and functional
The body is the synthesis of lightweight technology typical of a sports car, superior
comfort, spaciousness, and superb aerodynamics. The most advanced production
methods and materials are used on the body of the Panamera, geared in all cases to
specific requirements and functions.
These include all types of steel grades, light alloys such as aluminium and
magnesium, as well as plastics. The lightweight doors feature a load-bearing
structure made of laser-treated pressure-cast aluminium, an aluminium outer skin
and door window frames made of thin-walled pressure-cast magnesium. Thanks to
this intelligent lightweight structure, the Panamera S, for example, weighs just 1,770
kg.
The rear seats set new standards in the luxury performance class in terms of both
comfort and variability. Perfectly contoured as single seats, they offer maximum
comfort also at the rear through their wide range of electrical adjustment and seat
climate functions.
The Panamera has a highly functional luggage compartment. The seat backrests tilt
forward individually with additional through-loading increasing luggage capacity up to
1,263 litres while keeping the luggage floor level from front to rear.
The Panamera is the first car in its segment with a completely flat under-floor to help
reduce both air resistance and lift forces on the axles, which in practice means lower
fuel consumption and greater stability.
The visible highlight of the overall aerodynamic package is the active four-way rear
spoiler on the Panamera Turbo. Through its efficient management of control angles
and surface geometry geared to driving conditions, the rear spoiler optimises the
car's aerodynamics and performance all in one.
Acoustics: sporting sound and superior touring comfort
The sound of the new Panamera is the way it needs to be - quiet and refined at
cruising speed with the ability to unleash emotion and intensity when the driver
chooses to drive spiritedly. In essence, Porsche engineers have brought together
seemingly contradictory acoustic requirements.
Aeroacoustics, for example, were analysed on a clay model right from the start of the
development process and then optimised in conjunction with technical improvements.
The result is a truly low level of noise inside the car befitting a luxury Gran Turismo.
But at the same time the typical Porsche sound full of power and dynamism comes
out clearly when accelerating, the wide range of sound offered by the Panamera
therefore extending from discreet modesty while cruising all the way to powerful
emotion whenever the driver wishes to press on.
Porsche has created a car that deserves to be regarded as both a genuine luxury car
with limousine-like silkiness and a sports car worthy of the Porsche name.
The Panamera S, 4S and Turbo models go on sale in Australia in October, priced
from $270,200.
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