Porsche Panamera GTS (2012) first pictures

Porsche has ramped up an even hotter version of its Panamera ugly duckling at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.

The new 2011 Panamera GTS made its world debut at LA, and will arrive at UK dealerships in February 2012 costing a stout £90,409.

That'll be a 30 horsepower upgrade to the 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8, making a total of 424bhp and 384lb ft.

So the new Panamera GTS is blindingly fast for a big luxury saloon: 0-62mph is over in 4.5sec and top whack is 179mph.

Mind you, the GTS weighs in at a very chunky 1920kg. Which explains the 25.9mpg combined fuel economy and 256g/km of CO2 spewed out.

There's a rather extraordinary sounding new 'Sound Symposer' system, which diverts intake noise into the cabin at a push of a button. The Sport button controls a microphone detecting vibrations near the throttle valve and air filter - broadcasting them on demand through a speaker at the A-pillar.

Those extra ponies come from new freer flowing exhaust, among other noodling changes to the V8.

Handling is also improved, says Porsche. The GTS sits 10mm lower, 19in Turbo wheels are fitted and the blown Panamera also contributes its bigger brake discs and red callipers.

Fitted with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, the Panamera GTS has an electronic rear diff to apportion torque to either driven rear wheel and sports active anti-roll bars on both axles.

By Tim Pollard