SIME Darby Auto Performance Sdn Bhd, the authorised distributor and seller of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, invited us for a sneak peak at the soon-to-be-launched Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo at Porsche Centre in Sungai Besi.
We were one of six lucky media personnel who had the opportunity to preview the car, set to be introduced next year.
The genesis of the car can be traced all the way back to the 2012 Paris Motorshow, where Porsche unveiled the Sport Turismo concept car, which gained tremendous feedback from members of the media and the public.
Since then, there have been many queries from existing customers and new customers asking whether the Sport Turismo concept would be introduced to the market. Porsche eventually decided to make the concept car a reality.
The Panamera Sport Turismo has a shooting brake body style that is based on the second-generation Panamera saloon.
It is different from a wagon, as the wagon concept is an extension of a sedan. The shooting brake concept, on the other hand, is derived from a coupe.
Coupe styling is more dynamic and sporty, with a lower roof line and usually comes in four-seater configuration.
The Sport Turismo we viewed was the range-topping turbo variant. The left-hand drive Sapphire Blue Metallic colour Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo was specially flown in from Germany for the preview. Of cause, the Malaysian version will be a right-hand drive unit.
Starting from the front end of the car, most features are adopted from the Panamera saloon. It has the distinctive LED headlights with the four-point daytime running lights like that of the Porsche 918 Spyder.
Just aft of the headlights, it houses the iconic bulge up front fenders on both sides.
The Sport Turismo has high shoulders and a flat bonnet that slopes all the way down to the front, typical of cars with Porsche DNA. The front bumper features large air intakes, to support the powerful engine.
The key changes start from the roof line at the B-pillar onwards. Compared with the saloon, the saloon slopes down much earlier, while the Sport Turismo continues to extend the roofline to the rear.
At the rear , the Sport Turismo is equipped with stunning LED rear taillights with a light strip. The taillights forms a sharp strip crossing the boot, to emphasise the width of the vehicle and the low stance.
Above the rear windscreen is where the adaptive spoiler is located. The carmaker calls it the Porsche Active Dynamics rear spoiler. The spoiler can be tilted upwards for downforce, so during high speed driving, the car gains better stability. The spoiler can be adjusted by the speed of driving or the mode switch.
One of the biggest changes is in the boot. Compared to the Panamera saloon, the loading edge is lowered by 14cm. This makes loading easier. With all the rear seats up, it has 520 litres of boot space, that’s 20 litres more than the saloon model.
The rear seats can be split into three sections in a 40:20:20 configuration. When more space is needed, the driver can lower one of the back seats, while the other can still ferry another passenger. With all of its rear seats lowered, it has 1,490 litres of boot space, 50 litres more than the saloon model.
However, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will have 100 litres less boot space, compared to the Turbo and four variants. Due to its hybrid concept, some space has to be sacrificed to make way for the lithium ion batteries.
Compared with the Panamera saloon, the Sport Turismo has more headroom for the rear passengers, thanks to the extended roof line. It also comes with a panoramic roof, with the roof’s sunshade opened, the rear passengers can enjoy a few inches of additional headroom.
In the past, Porsche used to have a lot of hard keys for driver to gain the quick access of switching the driving modes. For the Panamera Sport Turismo, the engineers and designers have cleaned up and simplified the interior.
The Sport Turismo we viewed had an alcantara finished roof lining, leather finished upholstery and seats, as well as the optional carbon fibre styling that perfectly match the fine piano finish. It also has a seven colour options for ambient lighting, to make night driving more cozy.
Sime Darby Auto Performance hinted that there will be three variants available in Malaysia - the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo and the top-of-the-range Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo.
All variants will sport all-wheel drive.
As for the engine, the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 single turbocharged engine, offering 330 hp. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid that runs on a 2.9-litre V6 bi turbo engine, coupled with an electric motor.
Both the engine and electric motor generates a total of 462hp with 700Nm of torque. With a fully charged electric motor, the Panamera Sport Turismo can travel 51km and it can achieve a top speed of 140kph.
Porsche claims that the fuel consumption recorded is about 2.5 litres per 100km.
The Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo houses a 4.0-litre V8 bi turbo engine, with cylinder activation function. At full power, it produces 550hp with 770Nm of torque.
When it is driven at low speed or uses less than 200Nm of torque, the system will shut off four of its engine’s cylinders.
By running with four cylinders, it improves the fuel consumption for a more fuel-efficient drive.
When there is a demand for speed, the engine will switch back to eight cylinders.
The Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo can complete the century sprint in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 306kph. All three engine options are mated with the eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung transmission.
Porsche included Adaptive Air Suspension, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) and Rear Axle steering in the car.
Porsche Adaptive Air Suspension provides 60 per cent more air contained in each of its bellows, to provide both comfort and sportiness.
The PASM adjusts the damper setting, between firm or comfortable. The Porsche Adaptive Air Suspension and PASM works hand in hand.
As for the PDCC Sport, it is basically an active anti-roll bar. An anti-roll bar functions to stabilise the car.
Porsche’s active anti-roll bar counteracts when the car is likely to rollover. PDCC Sport has an electrical motor for an even quicker reaction to counteract rollovers. When the car is turning or taking a high speed corner, it will counter act the weight and minimise the body roll of the car.
Last but not least is the Rear Axle Steering (RAS) system. Porsche introduced the system in all of its top-of-the-line GT cars, 918 Spyder, 911 Carrera S and now the Panamera.
The system controls the rear axle to turn together with the vehicle. It virtually shortened the wheelbase of the car and improves the turning radius.
At low speed below 50kph, the rear axle turns at an opposite direction of the vehicle, while during high-speed driving, it turns harmoniously with the front. It doesn’t turn exactly like the same angle of the front, it only turns 2.8 degrees.
RAS adds stability during high speed, lane change or high speed bends. The driver can feel that the rear is following the car’s movement. With the 4D chassis control system, the chassis and handling is close to a 911 Porsche.
The Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo will not be complete without some good safety features.
The unit we previewed was equipped with 10 airbags, active bonnet, ISOFIX child seat mounts, park assist with audible warning, reverse camera, 360 surround view system, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and lane change assist.
According to Sime Darby Auto Performance the Panamera Sport Turismo will be launched by the first quarter next year.