The sports car among Gran Turismos

Gran Turismo Sport or GTS for short – the model name says it all: the new Panamera GTS is the purist member of Porsche’s four-door sports car family.

A chassis designed to be particularly dynamic and agile, a more powerful engine with even more intense feedback and an interior and exterior that send a clear sporty statement make the Panamera GTS the four-door sports car for fast roads of every description.

The standard specification is impressive: 4.8-litre V8 engine developing 316 kW; Porsche Traction Management with active all-wheel drive; seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK); adaptive air suspension; 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds (with Launch Control); top speed of 288 km/h; NEDC fuel consumption of 10.9 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 256 g/km (or 10.7 L/100 km and CO2 emissions of 251 g/km with low-friction all-season tyres).

The heart of the new Panamera GTS is its upgraded 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine benefiting from numerous modifications to give it even better performance. The 22 kW (30 hp) power hike compared with the engine in the Panamera S and 4S is also accompanied by a 20 Nm lift in torque, now a maximum 520 Nm at 3,500 rpm.The 316 kW is now achieved 200 rpm higher up the rev range at 6,700 rpm while engine
speed has been extended by a total of 400 rpm to a maximum 7,100 rpm. Integral to the high engine speed concept are modified valve springs with increased initial tension, ensuring that the valves open and shut precisely in all circumstances.

The second main focus area in improving the V8 engine was optimising the charge cycle. A wider air intake with two additional air filter housings to the left and right at the front of the car improves the air supply from 3,500 rpm. Additionally, back pressure is generated at higher engine speeds and with it a slight charging effect that contributes to the increased output. In order to be able to handle optimally the increased flow of air two new camshafts with a one millimetre greater stroke control the intake valves while an upgraded engine control unit (ECU) manages the process.

Occupants can hear and enjoy the aural splendour of the Panamera GTS engine through the Sound Symposer which, at the push of the Sport button, directs the intake noise into the interior. The standard sports exhaust system also provides a sensory benefit. The Panamera GTS features a 10 millimetre lower, sports chassis incorporating adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). The suspension increases both comfort and driving dynamics by self-levelling and adjusting the spring rate and damping system.

Performance is further enhanced by 19-inch Panamera Turbo wheels, five millimetre wheel spacers at the rear and the Panamera Turbo’s braking system – recognisable by the red brake callipers.

The Panamera GTS has to cope with particularly sporty requirements and therefore comes with the Sport Chrono package as standard, which in addition to the Normal and Sport modes offers the Sport Plus program as well. In Sport Plus mode, the PDK’s response times become even shorter and the gear changes sportier. The change points as well are shifted towards higher revs, causing delayed upchanges and earlier downchanges. In Sport Plus mode the PSM stabilisation system also kicks in later,
making braking into corners perceptibly more agile and accelerating out of tight ones even sportier.

In terms of aerodynamics, the Panamera GTS is on par with the Panamera Turbo: with its large air intake openings on the front spoiler for optimal air supply. This is matched at the rear by fitting the adaptive four-way rear spoiler from the Panamera Turbo. At a speed of 205 km/h and above it positions itself so as to generate downforce on the rear axle, thereby ensuring stable driving safety at high speeds.

The Panamera’s sporty personality is expressed throughout the interior with driver and passengers seated in an ambiance of leather and Alcantara with a choice of five interior colours. Finished in Alcantara are the centre panels of the adaptive 18-way adjustable sports seats, upper sections of the door armrests, front centre console armrest and roofliner. The Sport-Design steering wheel with shift paddles and twelve hour markings on the rim combines dynamic looks and sporty functionality.

New Zealand deliveries will commence late in the second quarter of 2012. Local specification and pricing will be announced nearer to launch.