Porsche Panamera to get new V6 engine

Porsche will reveal two new 3.6 V6 petrol versions of the Panamera at the Beijing motor show 2010. These are the first official photos of the new models, the Panamera and Panamera 4, which will be offered as cheaper alternatives to the S, 4S and Turbo versions.

In the rear-wheel drive entry-level Porsche Panamera, the new 296bhp, 295lb ft V6 powerplant produces 265g/km of CO2 and will manage just 25 miles on a gallon of fuel. On both counts, that's worse than the V8 in the S4... However, with the optional upgrade to the seven-speed PDK twin-clutch 'box, CO2 output falls by 57g/km and fuel consumption creeps to just over 30mpg.

Considering the new V6 lugs 1730kg of girth around, the boggo Panamera is still remarkably swift: 62mph passes in 6.8sec and top speed stands at 162mph.

The entry-level Panamera V6 is also available with four-wheel drive: the Panamera 4 comes with PDK and is predictably thirstier, smoking out 225g/km of CO2 and averaging 29.4mpg on the combined cycle. Top speed of the 4wd V6 is also a little lower at 160mph, although 0-62mph takes 6.1sec thanks to lower gearing on the seven-speed PDK and superior traction.

The Porsche Panamera arrives in June 2010 priced at £61,461; the Panamera 4 costs around £5500 more. You'll have to wait until 2011 for the new petrol-electric Panamera Hybrid.

By John Burton