Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the folks who are the authorised distributors of Porsche here in Malaysia have launched the new Panamera Sport Turismo. Based on the Porsche Panamera sports sedan, the Panamera Sport Turismo is more like a Shooting Brake or Sports Wagon... or an oversized hot hatch rather than the more four door 911 type looks of the Panamera. It is basically different in that it has a larger rear opening with a low loading point, increased boot space and a 4+1 seating meaning that it offers a tad bit more practicality than the regular Panamera. If the word 'regular' could be used in the same sentence with a Panamera, that is.
The sporty looking shooting brake was unveiled at Bangsar Shopping Centre, where two variants out of the three variants available here were put on display. These are the 3.0liter turbocharged V6 powered 330hp / 450Nm Panamera 4 Sport Turismo and the 2.9liter turbocharged V6 with motor assistance 462hp / 700Nm Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (a plug in hybrid variant - the 2.9liter petrol engine you can see right below). The Panamera 4 gets you to 100kmh from nought in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 259kmh whilst the Panamera e-hybrid gets you a 0-100kmh time of 4.6 seconds and a maximum speed of 278kmh
The other variant which will be offered in Malaysia is the top of the range Panamera Turbo which would offer even more performance with its 550hp and 770Nm power output from its 4.0liter V8 bi-turbo engine. 0-100kmh is in 3.6 seconds and it maxes out at 304kmh. Massive numbers here folks. Especially since its in a 'wagon' type form.
Arnt Bayer (in the first photo of this article), Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance said, “From a technological and design perspective, the Sport Turismo utilises the innovations introduced in the new Panamera model line. The Panamera Sport Turismo is a step forward into a new segment, but retains all values and attributes that are characteristics of Porsche”
“For Porsche, the Panamera Sport Turismo is a shooting brake concept that promises more practicality with the power and performance expected of a Porsche. The technology includes the digital Porsche Advanced Cockpit, chassis systems such as rear axle steering, the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC Sport) electronic roll stabilisation system and breathtaking powertrains. In addition, all Panamera Sport Turismo models are equipped with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) – an active all-wheel drive system with electronically controlled multi-plate clutch – as standard”, he added.
After viewing the car, prodding it with my finger (the most non-scientific test of them all) and perusing through its specifications, I must say that this is the most practical Panamera because of the less sloping rear end. It offers more space if owners need it and its cabin is very, very slightly more practical to owners. I say very slightly because the 4+1 seating offered by the Sport Turismo does allow you to seat another person in the middle, provided that person is very small or has very short legs due to the large transmission tunnel.
Very, very short legs as you can see from the photos. This is why Porsche says its a 4+1. It is exactly like those apartments where the developer states 2+1 rooms. You know the space of the plus 1 is really an occasional space. But if you bought the 'regular' Panamera sports sedan, it comes with 2+2 seating which means individual bucket seats at the rear unlike the Sport Turismo. So yes, the Sport Turismo is more practical than the Panamera sports sedan.
SDAP have announced that the retail base price for the new Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo, and Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo starts from RM990,000, RM1,125,000, and RM1,940,000 respectively. When they say starts from, it really does start from. The red Panamera 4 you see on display is full of options and weighs in at over RM1.3million. That's over RM300,000 worth of options. Usually most customers would specify their Panamera with about RM100,000 worth of goodies. This one has the fully monty or everything in the menu.
All Porsche cars sold by SDAP come with a four-year warranty and free maintenance package which includes complimentary service, parts and labour. The stated price includes all applicable duties, except registration fee, road tax and insurance. Do note that specifications and prices are subject to change without prior notice.
For those that seek financing, the new Porsche 360 Financing will also be made available for the new Panamera Sport Turismo. The Porsche 360 Financing is an alternative to conventional financing by reducing monthly payments by up to 30% and providing flexible terms for better cash flow management.
The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Design Brief
The design and concept of the Sport Turismo
Just like the Panamera sports saloon, the Sport Turismo is characterised by its dynamic proportions. This is a perfect reflection of the Porsche design DNA. The vehicle is 5,049 millimetres long, 1,428 millimetres high and 1,937 millimetres wide, while the large wheelbase spans 2,950 millimetres. The silhouette is further characterised by short body overhangs and large wheels measuring up to 21 inches.
From the B-pillars backwards, or from the start of the rear doors rearwards, the Sport Turismo features a completely unique rear design. Above the pronounced shoulder, an elongated window line and equally long roof contour lend to the vehicle’s striking appearance. At the rear, the roof drops away much less dramatically than the window line, resulting in a prominent and distinctive D-pillar which transitions into the shoulder section in a saloon-like fashion.
First adaptive extendable roof spoiler in the segment
At the top of the vehicle, the roof extends into an adaptive spoiler. The angle of the roof spoiler is set in three stages depending on the driving situation and selected vehicle settings, and generates an additional downforce of up to 50 kg on the rear axle. At up to a speed of 170 km/h, the aerodynamic guide element – a central system component of the Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) – stays in its retracted position with an angle of minus seven degrees, reducing drag and thus optimising fuel consumption.
Above 170 km/h, the roof spoiler automatically moves to the performance position with an angle of plus one degree, thereby increasing driving stability and lateral dynamics. When in the Sport and Sport Plus driving modes, the roof spoiler automatically moves to the performance position at speeds of 90 km/h upwards. The PAA also provides active assistance by adapting the roof spoiler’s angle of inclination to plus 26 degrees when the panoramic sliding roof is open at a speed of 90 km/h or above. In this case, the spoiler helps to minimise wind noise.
Three seats in redesigned rear
The new Sport Turismo is the first Panamera to feature three rear seats. The two outside seats take the form of individual seats – in keeping with the model line’s claim for sporty performance with maximum passenger comfort – thereby producing a 2+1 configuration at the rear. As an option, the Panamera Sport Turismo is also available in a four-seat configuration with two electrically adjustable individual seats at the rear.
The raised roofline of the Sport Turismo allows for easier entry and exit at the rear of the vehicle and ensures greater head clearance. The usability of the luggage compartment benefits from the wide opening tailgate, which is electrically operated as standard, and with a loading edge height of just 628 millimetres. Measured to the upper edge of the rear seats, the 520-litre storage capacity of the Sport Turismo (Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo: 425 litres) provides greater storage compared to the sports saloon by 20 litres.
When loaded up to roof level and with the rear seats folded down, the gains amount to approximately 50 litres. The backrests of the three rear seats can be folded down together or individually in a 40:20:40 split and are unlocked electrically from the luggage compartment. When all of the backrests are folded down, the loading floor is virtually level. In this case, the storage volume is expanded to up to 1,390 litres (Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo: 1,295 litres).
A luggage compartment management system is available on request for the Panamera Sport Turismo. Among other things, this variable system for secure transport includes two rails integrated in the loading floor, four lashing points and a luggage compartment partition net. An optional 230-V electrical socket can also be provided in the luggage compartment.
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