Porsche has announced that the Panamera has been updated with a new brake energy recuperation system which now comes as standard on all V8-engined models. This when coupled with the optional 19-inch reduced roll resistance tyres, gives an improvement of 0.9 litres per 100km, thus only using 11.3 litres per 100 km on a Panamera Turbo. While the Panamera S and 4S both produce a fuel consumption of 9.8 litres per 100 km and 10.1 litre per 100 km respectively.

Energy is recuperated while braking and when accelerating, power to the alternator is reduced thereby allowing the engine to direct all its power to the acceleration of the car. This method of charging increases fuel efficiency by another 0.7L/100km, and when used in conjunction with optional all-season tyres, this figure drops by a further 0.2 litres/100km on the Panamera models. These additions will be available from August this year.

The Panamera also now includes the optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) system which was previously only available on the Cayenne, supplementing Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) which is a fully controlled rear axle differential lock. PTV Plus intervenes in the braking of the inner rear wheel when taking a corner and improves traction when accelerating out of the bend which is also helped on by the rear axle differential.

Braking a wheel in PTV Plus sounds quite similiar to ESP systems but PDCC (like other systems such as Volkswagen’s XDS) is more performance based as opposed to ESP systems that are more to do with safety.

Porsche is also extending their range of paintwork colours, leather options and special equipment such as auxiliary heating, three-spoke sports steering wheel with gear-shift paddles. 3D maps on the navigation system are another plus, and will be able to be combined with satellite images to provide realistic-looking directions to your favourite coffee shop.

Look after the jump to revisit a photo gallery of the Panamera.

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