2016 Porsche Panamera revealed

The second generation Porsche Panamera was unveiled at an event in Berlin, ahead of the UK shipments arrive in November.

The new Panamera is a car that, Porsche says, has been "restored and adapted to the last detail" in a new challenge for luxury rivals, such as the soon-to-be-replaced Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and the most recently updated Maserati Quattroporte.

Liftback sedan-style all-new model replacing the current seven years, which has contributed to record sales for the German automaker in recent years. Initial line-up consists of three models of four-wheel drive: £ 88 700 Panamera 4S, Panamera 4S £ 91 788 and £ 113 075 Diesel Panamera Turbo.

Further derivatives are planned for early next year, including the entry-level variant of the rear wheeldrive with petrol and diesel engines, as well as successor models GTS today and plug-in petrol-electric S Hybrid.

The new Panamera is based on the second incarnation of Porsche MSB (or standard modular architecture) platform. This contributes to weight loss through the use of aluminum for the main structure and the bonnet, wings, roof and tailgate.

Although the Porsche Panamera's curb weight has not been determined, the ratio of power-to-weight claimed for the Panamera Turbo from 3.6kg per 1PS (Pferdstärke, equivalent to 0.986bhp) suggested that tips the scales at 1980kg, 10kg more than the version that came out.

The new model marks a concerted effort by the design team to provide the Porsche Panamera with some styling cues from the iconic 911, with taut surfaces and precise detailing more swage line.

Dimensions, the new Panamera has been put on 35mm long (to 5050mm), 5mm width (1935mm) and 5mm high (1423mm). This makes it 50mm shorter, 35mm wider and 67mm lower than the latest BMW 7 Series.

A curved roof line has reduced the height above the rear passenger compartment by 20mm, with the effect that the new Panamera looks lower and longer than ever before. This is further enhanced with a wheelbase that is 30mm longer at 2950mm.

Despite the high reduction of the roof at the rear, Porsche said rear headroom has been increased. So has the capacity boot by 50 liters over the first-generation Panamera, on a nominal 495 liters. Which extends to 1304 liters when the standard 40/20/40 split rear seat folded.

The new Panamera is the first recipient of the turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 and the new Porsche 4.0-liter petrol engine twin-turbocharged V8. In a move that is becoming increasingly common among performance car maker, the new V6 and V8 engines rely on a twin-scroll, counter-rotating turbocharger is mounted centrally in the space between the two cylinder banks. This, claims Porsche, providing shorter feed path for added response and greater torque at low engine speeds.

The new engine comes mated with eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a reworked version of the new four-wheel drive system multi-plate clutch used by Mk1 Panamera.

In the Panamera 4S, turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 gives the new 434bhp at 5650rpm and 405lb ft of torque between 1750rpm and 5500rpm - enough for a car to hit 62mph from rest in 4.2sec (when equipped with the Sport Chrono package) and reach a top speed of 180mph.

Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 in the Panamera Turbo new newly developing 542bhp at 5750rpm and 568lb ft between 1960rpm and 4500rpm. When the car is equipped with the Sport Chrono package, he has officially 3.6sec 0-62mph time, beating its predecessor by 0.5sec and provide the same top speed 190mph.

New to the line-up is the Panamera 4S Diesel. This is the first Panamera models are offered with a diesel V8 engine. 4.0-liter unit produces 416bhp at 3500rpm and 626lb ft of torque from 1000rpm to 3250rpm. The new V8 oil-burner provides 4S Panamera Diesel with the distinction of being the world's fastest diesel production, according to Porsche, with a 0-62mph time of 4.3sec official (in combination with the Sport Chrono package) and a top speed of 177mph. Perhaps even more impressive is the fuel efficiency: a combined 42.2mpg, with average CO2 emissions of 176g / km.

Porsche makes great claims about the agility of the new Panamera. It features a new electromechanical steering system and, mirroring recent developments in the company's line-up sports cars, four wheel steer in an effort to further enhance steering precision despite the increase in the dimensions of the car.

model of lower-end continues to have a standard steel suspension sprung, while the top model-end, including those available at launch, adopting air suspension system newly developed by dampening three stages in combination with control dampers electronics and control dynamic chassis that supports torque vectoring and active roll stabilization.

Changes in the electrical system has brought a number of new driver assistance features, such as InnoDrive, autonomous driving functions that include adaptive cruise control.

Inside, the Panamera is introducing a new interior design with touch-sensitive surface along the center console are arranged to reduce the number of buttons facing the driver.

Described as a continuing theme of digitalization which started with the 918 Spyder interior, the dashboard houses a heavy hooded instrument binnacle with traditional, centrally mounted analogue rev counter book-ended by two high-definition screen 7.0in. A 12.3in touchscreen is used for various functions of Porsche Communication Management system, including navigation, entertainment and connectivity features.

The new Panamera can be ordered now and will begin shipping UK in November.

Along with the Panamera liftback pictured here, Porsche also put the finishing touches to the estate variant, first used by the Sport Turismo concept at the Paris motor show in 2012 and due to be sold by the end of next year.

New Bentley Continental GT to share the same platform Panamera

This second generation MSB platform Porsche is set to play an important role in the future of the establishment of sister company Porsche and Volkswagen, Bentley. It is claimed to offer more flexibility than its predecessor, thanks to a large number of tracks and the wheel base combinations.

It will support the Panamera in both standard and long-wheel base (Executive) pseudonym and liftback and estate bodystyles. It is also used for the coupé next year's all-new Bentley Continental GT, as well as follow-up to the Continental GT Convertible and Flying Spur replacement.

previous comments from former Porsche boss Matthias Müller suggested MSB structure will also be used under the spiritual successor to the 928, but Autocar can confirm that the development of this model has not yet begun in earnest.

"We're exploring other avenues," said Gernot Döllner, project leader for the new Panamera. However, with the engineering activities at the research facility based Porsche Weissach has been pushed to the limit with the all-new Cayenne next year, as well as next-generation 911, a plan for a two-door coupé in the mold of 928 has now been postponed.

Do not rule out another platform MSB supports a two-door coupé and convertible possible, though. Indications are that Bentley boss Wolfgang Durheimer close to giving the green light for the production version of the EXP 10 Speed ​​6 was revealed at the Geneva motor show last year, using the short-wheelbase version of the new platform.

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