Porsche reveals Panamera Turbo S

PORSCHE has taken the wraps off its new Panamera Turbo S, built for those who think the regular Turbo is neither fast nor exclusive enough.

Prices will start at more than £131,000 for the car, which uses a twin-turbocharged 562bhp V8 petrol engine and four-wheel drive to catapult its two-tonne bulk to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 192mph.

Fuel economy is recorded as 27.7mpg on the European standard ‘combined cycle’ average, but drivers in the real world should expect around 20.

Plenty of clever technology abounds in the Panamera Turbo S, like a ‘sound channel’ that pipes engine noise directly into the cabin at the user’s behest, and the ability to skip combustion in individual cylinders to allow for quicker, smoother gear changes.

Ceramic composite brakes are standard-fit, too, ensuring the heavy car can be stopped on a sixpence.

Adaptive air suspension is claimed to offer the best of both comfort and body control, with several further electronic systems also fitted to help hustle the Panamera along as quickly as its designers intended.

The first right-hand drive cars will be delivered in January 2014. Buyers will be invited to take part in a complementary Porsche Driving Experience course at the company’s Silverstone base.

By Press Association reporter