First launched in Berlin, the latest, 971-generation Porsche Panamera has arrived in Malaysia in base Panamera and Panamera 4S guises, at RM890,000 and RM1,100,000 respectively (prices are base retail before options, including all applicable duties, excluding registration fee, road tax and insurance). A four-year warranty and free maintenance package is included, which covers parts and labour.
Heading the Panamera’s launch line-up is the 4S, with its 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 with 440 PS at 5,650 rpm and 550 Nm from 1,750 to 5,500 rpm, transmitted to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Accompanying the Panamera 4S is the base Panamera with a 3.0 litre turbocharged V6, producing 330 PS at 5,400 rpm and 450 Nm between 1,340 rpm and 4,900 rpm, sent to the rear wheels.
The base Panamera does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.5 seconds, while the Panamera 4S does the same benchmark in 4.3 seconds (acceleration figures are with Sport Plus activated, 0.2 second slower without). Top speeds for the Panamera and Panamera 4S are 264 km/h and 289 km/h, respectively.
In the chassis department, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) gives control over the three-chamber air suspension units at each corner, while steering is electromechanical. Rear axle steering is optional on both the base Panamera and Panamera 4S. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and active roll stabilisation also feature here.
On the exterior, the new Panamera features LED headlamps and daytime running lights in front, with three-dimensional LED tail lights at the rear. Standard fit on the Panamera are 19-inch wheels, with the examples pictured here shod in the optional 21-inch wheels with staggered widths (tyres are 275/35R21 in front, 315/30R21 at the rear).
Inside, the driver is greeted by the now-commonplace 918 Spyder-style steering wheel with the Sport Response mode selector for four driving modes – Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual (included with the optional Sport Chrono pictured here), with a pair of seven-inch digital displays flanking the central analogue tachometer in the instrument cluster.
Audio is courtesy of a 3D sound system by Burmester, and the front seats are 14-way adjustable with massage function. The PCM (Porsche Communication Management) suite is controlled by a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, while smartphone integration is via Apple CarPlay along with voice control.
Touch-sensitive (haptic feedback) surfaces replace hard keys along the centre console, and the louvres of the central air vent are electrically adjusted by touch-sensitive sliders. The boot itself is electrically operated as standard, and all doors feature a soft-closing assist function. Further along, the individual rear seats can be folded to increase boot space from 495 litres to 1,304 litres.
Absent from the Malaysian market line-up are the long-wheelbase Panamera Executive and – for now – the Panamera Turbo, the arrival of which is subject to customer demand. In terms of specification, the InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system is omitted from our Malaysian Panameras. Also subject to evaluation of customer demand is the Sport Turismo wagon bodystyle.
GALLERY: Porsche Panamera 4S
GALLERY: Porsche Panamera
