Porsche is sticking with the Panamera despite the popularity of the all-electric Taycan.
The next-generation Porsche Panamera has been spotted testing again, this time in the US. We’ve seen two variants testing on the Nurburgring before and this newly sighted prototype could be the sporty Turbo version of the Panamera line-up.
We expect the new third-generation Panamera to go on sale in 2024, given the current one launched in 2017 and was facelifted as recently as 2020. It will be a new car, but evolutionary against the second-generation model, given the sales success of the all-electric Taycan – now convincingly outselling the combustion and hybrid-powered Panamera. This test car is still cloaked in camouflage, but we can spot some new additions on the surface.
At the front we see Porsche’s signature quad daytime running lights within a rounded unit and a revised bumper design with larger air curtains (the less sporty model we’ve previously seen has smaller intakes).
The C-pillar is also disguised, which further suggests this is an all-new model as manufacturers rarely go as far as changing significant sheet metal like the C-pillars for a facelift. At the back is a quad exhaust system, similar to current Panamera Turbo models.
The prototype features centre-locking wheels, items usually reserved for Porsche’s sports cars. Behind them sit huge drilled brake discs and six-piston calipers.
The interior of this development car is covered too, indicating that a cabin update could be on the cards. Porsche won’t change the general layout too much, but it could take on a similar look inside to the Taycan, employing a revised infotainment and switchgear setup mimicking that of its all-electric sibling.
Porsche updated its sixth-generation Porsche Communications Management earlier this year but by 2024 we could see an all-new infotainment system on a fully digital instrument panel. At present, the Panamera uses a partly digital layout, with an analogue rev-counter.
It’s unclear as to whether the new car will retain the same 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 and 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain options, but we should see the Turbo S E-Hybrid continuing to top the range.
The new Porsche Panamera is expected to arrive in 2024.
Alastair Crooks