The top version of the Porsche Panamera has been announced: the liftback has updated the Nurburgring record

The company has not yet announced the name of the new version of the model, but we can assume that it will be the Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Porsche Panamera has been present in the German brand’s lineup since 2009; since then, the model has changed generations twice. The current “third” Panamera was completely declassified at the end of November last year, and in February of this year the liftback acquired junior hybrid versions — 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid. Now the manufacturer has announced the appearance of a new top-end version of this model.

Porsche has not yet revealed the name of another version of the current Panamera, but it can be assumed that its role will be played by the “charged” version of the Turbo S E-Hybrid. So far, the manufacturer has only shared the next Nürburgring record set by the model in the executive segment.

The time for completing the Nürburgring Nordschleife for the pre-production version of the new liftback was 7 minutes 24.17 seconds: it is known that this figure is 5.64 seconds less than the similar model of the previous generation. Porsche noted that the Panamera is currently the fastest car in the executive segment equipped with an internal combustion engine or a hybrid power plant.

In the photo: pre-production top version of the third generation Porsche Panamera

According to Porsche factory test driver Lars Kern, who has already set class records on the Nordschleife in a Panamera in 2016 and 2020, the new top version of the third-generation model has better handling. In particular, he noted that “on technically difficult turns, for example between the sections of the Hohe Acht and Brünnchen circuit, the car reacts noticeably more agility.”

There are no details about the power plant of the new top version yet, we only know that it is hybrid and is powered by a V8 engine. Obviously, the total output of this option will be higher than that of the previously presented Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid – 680 hp. and 930 Nm of torque. This version takes 3.2 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h, and its top speed is 315 km/h. It is expected that the top-end version will have even better dynamic performance.

The pre-production prototype of the new top-end version of the Panamera differs from the Turbo E-Hybrid version due to a modified front bumper, a different splitter in its lower part, as well as a carbon fiber aerodynamic body kit, which includes a flap for the adaptive wing at the rear, allowing for increased downforce . This option also received 21-inch wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (front – 275/35 ZR21, rear – 325/30 ZR21). The racing prototype has only two differences from the future production car — a sports driver's seat and the presence of a safety cage.

Recall that in March of this year, Porsche introduced the Taycan Turbo GT with a lightweight body, a twin-engine power plant, a permanent whose power is 789 hp, in Launch Control mode the figure increases to 1033 hp. (for ten seconds), and when the special Attack Mode is activated, it reaches 1108 hp. (within two seconds). Maximum torque – 1340 Nm. This version set a Nurburgring record in the class of production electric vehicles: it took 7 minutes 07.551 seconds to complete the Nordschleife.