Porsche Panamera GTS arrives at LA Show

Porsche Panamera GTS

Now that we’re a couple of years in from the launch of the Porsche Panamera, Porsche think it’s about time we got to know the hard-edge side of the Panamera, so the LA Auto Show has seen the arrival of the Porsche Panamera GTS.

Just like other GTS Porsches – particularly the Cayenne GTS – it’s probably best to think of the GTS as a Turbo without a Turbo and a bit of attitude thrown in to the mix.#

Despite its harder-edged stance and sporting pretensions the 2012 Panamera GTS is atill a bit of a lump, coming in at 1920kg thanks, in part, to the standard 4WD setup.

But even with the lard and drive to all four wheels, the 425bhp V8 can still pick up its skirts and hustle to 62mph in a very respectable 4.5 secondsa and on to a top speed of 179mph. Not quite Panamera Turbo levels, but impressive nonetheless.

Sitting lower than a regular Panamera by some 10mm on its standard setting air suspension, the GTS gets stiffer damping, brakes from the Panamera Turbo, a set of spacers on the back wheels to add 5mm to the track and 19″ wheels from the Turbo too.

Porsche have given the GTS the best chance of performing by fitting PDCC and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus as standard and there’s a an electronically controlled diff lock too.

Other upgraded kit includes the Sport Chrono Plus kit as a standard fitting, the front bumper and rear spoiler off the Turbo, Xenons and gloss black detailing.

The 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS goes on sale in February at a not insignificant £90,409, sitting neatly between the £83k Panamera 4.8 V8 S 4WD and the £102k 4.8 V8 Turbo.

(7 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK