2012 Panamera Turbo S at the 2011 New York Auto Show
- Competes with: Aston Martin Rapide and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
- Looks like: Porsche finally fills out the Panamera’s lineup … or has it?
- Drivetrain: 550-hp, twin turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8 with a seven-speed auto-shift manual transmission; all-wheel drive
- Hits dealerships: Spring 2011
Porsche has been busy expanding the Panamera’s trim offerings since the model was first unveiled in 2008. Today, the automaker showed off its new top-of-the line 2012 Panamera Turbo S trim.
The Turbo S takes off where the Panamera Turbo ends in terms of features and brings an extra dose of performance. The Turbo S takes the standard V-8 powertrain and manages to eke out another 50 horsepower (550 hp). Torque has also increased to 553 pounds-feet, and an overboost function can increase peak torque to 590 pounds-feet. With the help of launch control, the Turbo S can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph.
Other performance enhancements include new 20-inch wheels with increased rear axle track width, side skirts, an adaptive four-way extending rear spoiler, Porsche’s Servotronic steering system, a sports exhaust system and a special Sports Plus button that further tunes the engine and suspension for performance driving. Interior changes include new exclusive bicolor leather upholstery schemes such as black/cream.
In the 2011 model year, the Panamera received two entry level trims and a new V-6. A new hybrid model is coming to the 2012 model year, too. The Panamera is Porsche’s best-selling car year-to-date in the U.S. The 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S will go on sale in the U.S. later this spring and have a base price of $173,200, excluding $975 for delivery fee.
