The 2024 Porsche Panamera, unveiled in its third generation, boasts a series of updates, both visually and under the hood. Autoblog got a sneak preview of the sedan before its official launch in Germany, highlighting the evolutionary design changes and substantial mechanical, chassis, and interior enhancements.
Visually, the third-generation Panamera maintains the sleek and sophisticated appearance of its predecessor, with subtle yet noticeable alterations. The front bumper receives a new look, complemented by more angular headlights and taller fenders. At the rear, the hatch’s window loses its metal frame, featuring an updated light bar design. Turbo models showcase the new Turbonite finish, and center-locking wheels make their debut as an option for the first time since 2009.
Underpinning the Panamera is a chassis platform similar to its predecessor, maintaining the wheelbase but necessitating changes to meet new crash-test requirements. Dr. Thomas Friemuth, the Panamera line’s vice president, emphasizes the need for increased stiffness and modifications to accommodate global crash requirements.
Inside, the Panamera adopts the Porsche Driver Experience layout, familiar to recent additions like the Cayenne. The interior features a 12.6-inch curved instrument cluster, a button replacing the engine start-stop switch, and a razor-shaped shifter on the center console. A notable addition is the optional 10.9-inch touchscreen embedded in the dashboard ahead of the front passenger.
The Panamera lineup is streamlined to two body styles: the standard Panamera and the long-wheelbase Executive variant. Unfortunately, the Sport Turismo station wagon is discontinued due to low global sales.
Buyers can choose from three trims at launch: Panamera, Panamera 4, and Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid. The first two trims are powered by a 2.9-liter turbocharged V6, offering increased horsepower and torque compared to the previous generation. The Turbo E-Hybrid introduces a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, an electric motor, and a 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack, delivering impressive performance.
The Panamera range introduces the Porsche Active Ride suspension system as an optional feature for hybrid models. This system utilizes electrically-operated hydraulic pump-powered shock absorbers, eliminating the need for traditional springs while providing a comfortable and responsive ride.
The Active Ride system, which can lower the ride height for improved aerodynamics at freeway speeds, distinguishes itself on the road. It offers a smooth ride reminiscent of Citroën models with hydropneumatic suspension but without the pronounced body roll. The system enhances acceleration, braking, and cornering without sacrificing comfort.
The 2024 Porsche Panamera is currently on sale, with a starting price of $101,550 for the base model and $108,550 for the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4. The Turbo E-Hybrid pricing and launch details will be released at a later date. Standard features include an air suspension system, LED Matrix Design headlights, and a cooled smartphone compartment with inductive charging. Porsche offers a range of optional features, including InnoDrive technology, smartphone-controlled Remote ParkAssist, and a rear-wheel steering system.
