Porsche’s new luxury sedan unveiled in Qatar

Guests exploring the Panamera 4S

The Porsche Panamera, described as one of the most anticipated models in performance motoring history, was launched in Qatar by Al Boraq Automobiles at a grand event at Doha Exhibition Centre.
“This event is about celebrating with every Porsche aficionado the arrival of the new family member,” Al Boraq’s chairman and CEO Salman J al-Darwish told the gathering.

Al-Darwish and Papke at the Panamera launch. PICTURES: Nasar T K

Porsche Middle East and Africa managing director Deesch Papke, observed that the vision of Porsche founder Ferry Porsche, whose 100th birthday is being commemorated this year, continues with a new icon carrying the Porsche badge and DNA.
“In developing this four-seater Gran Turismo, our engineers, technicians and designers invested all the accumulated know-how and passion of the past 60 years,” he explained.
Papke earlier told Gulf Times that 4,500 pre-orders have been received for the Panamera world-wide, including 500 from the region. The production target for the first year is 20,000 cars.
The Panamera, which combines the looks of a coupé, the opulence of a luxury car, four-seater space and Porsche’s distinctive driving dynamics, is available in three versions—the S, the 4S and the top-of-the-range Turbo.
The Panamera follows a Porsche design philosophy that has been refined over the decades on the 911 and successfully implemented on the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.
Strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille, strong wheel arches, long and sleek bonnet, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coupé-like roofline and the visible tailpipes continue to bestow the feel of its forebears.
The 4.8-litre Panamera S generates 400hp through an eight-cylinder motor that drives the rear wheels via a the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch transmission—featured for the first time ever in a large, four-door model in the premium segment—with seven gears, which improves the fuel consumption to 12.5 l/100km.
With its 500 Nm of torque from between 3,500 and 5,000 rpm, and 83.2hp output per litre, the Panamera S can accelerate to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds, and continue to a top speed of 285km/h.
PDK also comes as standard on the 4.8-litre, 400-hp Panamera 4S, which also features Porsche Traction Management and an intelligent all-wheel drive system.
The 4S can hit 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 282km/h. Fuel consumption is 11.1 l/100 km.
With a 500-hp, eight-cylinder engine and bi-turbo technology, the top of the range Panamera Turbo, comes with PDK as standard alongside all-wheel drive.
It generates 700 Nm of torque from 2,250 to 4,500 rpm—779 Nm with Overboost in conjunction with optional Sports Chrono Package Turbo in the Sports Plus Mode—and boasts a power output per litre of 104.1hp.
The Turbo has a top speed of 303 km/h and a staggering time of only 4.2 seconds from 0 to100 km/h. In spite of the Turbo’s performance potential, it still registers meagre fuel consumption of 12.2 l/100 km.
All models feature Direct Fuel Injection, low-friction drivetrains, and lightweight body technology. Even the Panamera Turbo weighs less than 2,000 kg, despite its wide range of standard equipment.
Porsche Active Suspension Management is a standard feature on the Turbo and an option on the Panamera S and 4S. Its three manually adjustable control maps and frequency-specific damping provide a wide range of adjustments, from extra sporting through to extremely comfortable motoring. Porsche Stability Management (PSM), standard in the Panamera, comprises a whole range of functions, from ABS and anti-slip control to engine drag-force control, automatic brake differential, and Brake Assist with pre-filling of the brake system. It also features a trailer stabilising system, start-off management and halt management.
The Panamera comes on newly developed 18- and 19-inch wheels, with unique, 20-inch, lightweight aluminium wheels available as an option.
Each model runs on tyres of different size front and rear, which ensures that the wheels are properly matched to the needs on each axle, offering optimum traction, driving stability and steering qualities combined with supreme comfort at all times.
Available on the Panamera Turbo is an active aerodynamic system that deploys a multi-stage, adjustable rear spoiler, which adds to stability and ride comfort, while also helping to further improve fuel efficiency.
All models in the Panamera range come standard with sports seats for the driver and front passenger, electrically adjustable in eight directions.
Available on request is four-zone, automatic air conditioning with individual adjustment of temperature, blower strength and air distribution for each seat.
The Panamera sets new standards in its class in terms of audio and communication. The highlight is the seven-inch, colour touch screen fitted with both the CDR-31 audio system and Porsche Communication Management (PCM), including a navigation module.
The Panamera S and 4S come with the CDR-31 as standard, while the Turbo is equipped with PCM, with the navigation module available as an option on the other two models. Based on these sophisticated high-tech systems, the Panamera offers a large number of individual functions ranging from voice control through to Bluetooth mobile phone connections. Features extend all the way to an electronic logbook.
All functions are easily operated from a touch screen, with the additional option to transmit films or data from one screen to the other.
A premium Burmester High-End Surround Sound System is available as an option, while the BOSE Surround Sound System comes as standard in the Panamera Turbo and is optional on all other models.
The Panamera has full-size airbags igniting in two stages depending on the severity and type of accident, and offering the driver and front passenger substantial safety and protection.