SPYSHOTS: 2017 Porsche Panamera given a work out

The 2017 Porsche Panamera has been spied yet again, this time on the Nürburgring. As before, this mule is wearing little in the way of disguise, giving us a clear look at the design of the second generation of Zuffenhausen’s luxury sedan.

The car in the photographs looks to be a range-topping Turbo or Turbo S model, judging by the larger extendable rear spoiler and trapezoidal quad exhausts. It’s clear from the front that the next Panamera will take after the current Cayman, with more angular headlights, protruding air intakes at the corners and a wide, downturned centre inlet. Like the Macan and facelifted 911 and Cayenne, the indicators will be slimmer, and fitted with LEDs.

Although the headlights are still wearing camouflage that mimics the current car’s graphics, the four corner LED daytime running lights betray the new units, and appear to be inspired by the Panamera Sport Turismo concept.

More cues from the show car can be seen through the smaller, deeper fender vents, as well as a crease low down in the doors. The glasshouse has also been stretched further back – adding a separate C-pillar quarter window in the process – in a bid to distance the new Panamera from the current car’s awkward proportions, without reducing headroom.

Again, the large amount of camouflage over the tail lights makes it difficult to read the design of the rear, but closer inspection reveals that the Panamera will get the 991 facelift‘s slim three-dimensional tail lights, with what appears to be a horizontal bar connecting the lamps – just like on four-wheel drive 911s. A large diffuser is also seen here.

Although no photos of the interior can be found here, we’ve already seen what the new Panamera’s cabin will look like, with a 918 Spyder-style three-spoke steering wheel, a large centre touchscreen above the centre air vents and what appear to be touch panels around the gearlever to control the car’s various functions.

Under the skin, the Panamera will be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s new Modular Standard Platform (MSB). To be applied in all high-end Volkswagen Group models, such as the future Bentley Continental range, MSB will bring about significant weight savings as well – said to be up to 100 kg, in the case of the Panamera.

With Porsche now moving to turbocharged engines, expect the Panamera to launch with the new 3.6 litre twin-turbo V6 from the facelifted Cayenne S and GTS, as well as a new turbo V8 for the Panamera Turbo and Turbo S. Diesel and S-Hybrid models are expected to be announced later on, and there will also be a shooting break variant that will take after the Sport Turismo show car, for those who need more luggage space.

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