This updated four-door petrol-powered Porsche is yours for a tad over RM 1 million, taxes included.
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) has recently announced the launch of the facelifted Panamera over here. Officially available locally in its sole base variant thus far, this new four-door Porsche saloon could be yours from just RM 1,026,735 after SST exemption.
Much like what was first seen in the global update of the Panamera late last year, this new four-door Porsche gains a subtly altered look courtesy of the now standard Sport Design front end. Bringing with it a ‘striking air intake grilles, larger side air intakes with adapted single-bar front light layout’ that complement the standard LED matrix headlights with PDLS Plus.
Speaking of the tweaks to its lighting, round the back the updated Panamera gains new LED rear light clusters too. The full-width rear light strip that is a signature of Porsches these days have also been given a slight enhancement such that is now runs seamlessly across the tailgate with an adapted contour.
As for changes down the side meanwhile, three new 20- and 21-inch wheel designs up the total of alloy options to 10. All of which are wrapped around an improved softer sport tyre compound which aims to better blend the sporty yet comfy dynamics of this new Panamera, in addition to improving this practical Porsche’s fuel economy by reducing its rolling resistance.
Continuing on changes made under the skin of the Panamera, its adaptive shock absorbers, electronic roll stabilisation, steering system and revamped engine and axle mounts have all been optimised in order ‘to make the middle ground between sporty driving and comfort as expansive as possible’. The aluminium monobloc brakes of this Porsche (six-pistons up front, four-pots out back) too have undergone a diet to reduce unsprung weight, though without compromising on braking performance.
Moving onto the engine, the 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 of this base model remains unchanged from its pre-facelift iteration. Meaning that it still outputs the same 330 PS and 450 Nm of torque, which translates to a century sprint time of 5.4 seconds and 270 km/h top speed.
What has been tweaked under the hood though is its 8-speed PDK transmission that sends the power to only the rear wheels. Adding an improved coasting function that can now be activated in normal driving mode to further enhance the Panamera’s ‘driving comfort and efficiency’.
Stepping within this facelifted Panamera, the interior has remained largely unchanged from before. A new multifunction steering wheel is all about the changes with this enhanced model on the face of it, though under the skin Porsche has added Lane Keeping Assist with road sign recognition as well as Night Vision Assist, Lane Change Assist, Park Assist including Surround View, a head-up display and Porsche Connect as part of this update.
Currently available from the four Porsche Centres nationwide, there is however a dilemma now for prospective buyers of this updated Panamera. And that comes in the form of the all-new, and all-electric Porsche Taycan.
For about the same price as this new base Panamera, the new Taycan Turbo for RM 999,000 might sound rather tempting at this point. Especially considering it is significantly faster, more futuristic and some might argue even cooler than its petrol-powered counterpart.
PRESS RELEASE: The new Porsche Panamera covers an even wider spectrum, combining the performance of a sports car with the comfort of an exclusive saloon. The enhanced design of the new Panamera model is a visual hint at the promise of exclusivity combined with sporty performance.
Travelling in comfort while retaining the sport car feeling is an environment that comes naturally to the Panamera. Featuring the familiar 2.9 litre V6 biturbo engine, the new Panamera generates an output of 243 kW (330 PS) and a maximum torque of 450 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. Top speed is 270 km/h, allowing a combined experience of sitting in an exclusive saloon and a sports car for four. The coasting function of the eight-speed PDK which is activated in normal driving mode and already part of predecessor models, have also been improved, further enhancing driving comfort and efficiency.
For the first time, Porsche Connect will be made available in the new Panamera in Malaysia. With its extensive offering of services, as well as the online connection, Porsche Connect allows the new Panamera to underline its unique position in this vehicle segment.
More performance, more comfort
The chassis of the new Panamera performs a balancing act between sport and comfort effortlessly. With a redesigned chassis system and together with the even more precisely adjusted steering and the new generation of tyres, the new Panamera ensures improved lateral dynamics and greater precision, for enhanced driving comfort and cornering stability.
The adaptive shock absorbers, electronic roll stabilisation, steering system and revamped engine and axle mounts have all been optimised, with the objective to make the middle ground between sporty driving and comfort as expansive as possible.
Equipped with six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the front, and four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the rear, with single-piece brake calipers enclosed, the brake system in the new Panamera is lighter yet highly resistant to deformation. The pedal travel is tight, the pressure point precise and the braking distance impressively short.
New tyres and wheel designs
An improved tyre generation is used for the new Panamera. The new 20 and 21-inch tyres increase the bandwidth between comfort and sportiness while simultaneously offering a lower rolling resistance.
Sport tyres with a softer rubber compound and optimised tread have been developed especially for the Panamera and are offered for the first time, for further improvement on lateral performance and are particularly suitable for sporty cornering.
Three new 20 and 21-inch wheels have been added to the wheel range, so that a total of 10 different designs are now available, including the Exclusive Design 21-inch alloy wheels.
Sharper visual appearance for greater presence
Targeted changes have been made to the design to further sharpen the unique identity of the Panamera. The new Panamera feature the previously optional Sport Design front end with striking air intake grilles, larger side air intakes with adapted single-bar front light layout.
The revamped light strip at the rear now runs seamlessly over the luggage compartment lid with an adapted contour. It thus provides a continuous and flowing connection between the two newly designed LED tail light clusters.
The timeless and sporty ambience is further extended to the interior of the new Panamera. Featuring high-grade materials and in keeping with the Porsche design DNA, modern infotainment and connectivity services are harmoniously integrated. New multifunction steering wheels are now used, with their operating elements cleverly integrated into the design. With their visual cut-outs, they evoke the lightweight steering wheels found in racing cars.
Assistance systems for safety and comfort
The Panamera offers an extensive range of innovative light and assistance systems, such as the now standard Lane Keeping Assist with road sign recognition as well as Night Vision Assist, Lane Change Assist, LED matrix headlights including PDLS Plus, Park Assist including Surround View and head-up display.
