In its first generation, it’s safe to say the Panamera incorporated some interesting design language. When the second generation was revealed in 2016, all these issues were addressed perfectly. They enhanced the design to such a level where the first generation looked almost unrecognisable in comparison. At the tail end of 2023, the covers were removed from the third generation of the Panamera. 

In true Porsche style, minimal changes have been made to the styling but there are enough to signify that it is something new. At the front, you can find an additional air intake above the number plate holder. The window line has also been redesigned to help highlight the rear haunches of the Panamera, although the long-roof Sport Turismo estate will not be returning, owing to slow sales. Over and above styling changes, Porsche focussed on developing mechanical and technological advancements over the previous model. 

The biggest development is dual-chamber two-valve air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which comes standard. This system provides a smoother ride over bumps while also providing more body stability when you want to use your Panamera like a Porsche. However, if you decide to opt for a plug-in hybrid Panamera, you can tick the option for Porsche Active Ride. This system, according to Porsche, has the ability to absorb bumps almost completely. Alongside enhanced comfort, it also helps keep the body flat for when you are going on a spirited drive. Another piece of comfort trickery of the Active Ride suspension is when the car is stationary and the doors are opened, the body is lifted for a comfortable entry or exit height.  

Some extra convenience is found in the standard-fit Matrix LED headlights which have a range of 600 metres. Working with the new headlights, Porsche have overhauled assistance systems and introduced the active speed assistant, which works with traffic sign recognition. When this is active, the car won’t automatically drive faster than the speed limit. 

Moving to the interior of the latest Panamera, Porsche has gone all-in on screens. You now have a curved digital drivers display and an enhanced infotainment system and the option for a passenger display, which we first saw on the Taycan. With the enhanced infotainment, you can now control functions such as air conditioning, seat massages and ambient lighting through Apple CarPlay or with Siri. Buyers of the latest generation of the Panamera can finally begin to say goodbye to having to go through submenus to adjust what you want.

After Porsche introduced the third Panamera, we have been given the most eagerly awaited model variants, the Turbo S E-Hybrid and GTS.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid is the most powerful Panamera producing a staggering 771 bhp, an increase of 100 bhp over the outgoing generation, thanks to its 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 and electric motor which can be found between the engine block and PDK gearbox. Torque has also been increased to 737 lb-ft (1,000 nm), which is 111 lb-ft (150 nm) more than the previous model. These increases in power and torque propel the Panamera to 62 mph in a blistering 2.9 seconds and onto a top speed of 202 mph. How did Porsche manage to increase performance this drastically? Well a Porsche engineering boffin with a laptop definitely played a role alongside switching to single-scroll turbochargers for improved high-rev performance. The 8-speed PDK ‘box has also been tweaked by optimising power-transmitting friction surfaces and allowing for a higher thermal load which allows it to handle the increased torque.

The electrified powertrain also has been overhauled. Capacity of the battery has been increased by 45 percent, to 25.9 kWh. On electric power alone, you’ll get a range of 54 miles. To charge the battery to full, the 11kW on-board AC charger will fill the battery from zero to 100 per cent in around two hours and 39 minutes. This combination of V8 and electric propulsion is being adopted across the Volkswagen Audi Group, with Bentley using the same powertrain in the new Continental GT.

These increases in performance have certainly paid off as with the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid has set a new record around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, lapping the 13 mile track in just 7 minutes and 24.1 seconds. This time means the Panamera is the fastest combustion and hybrid engined saloon to lap the ‘ring. If you fancy setting your own lap record at your local track, the new Panamera can be optioned with a Carbon Aerokit. This gives you airblades, side skirts and rear diffuser. Porsche has also worked with Michelin to develop bespoke Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, helping to keep the Panamera glued to the tarmac. 

On the exterior, Porsche has included hints of Turbonite which is used exclusively for Turbo models. The airblades, a strip on the rear bumper and the forged 21-inch centre-lock wheels are all finished in Turbonite. With the flagship Turbo S E-Hybrid, you will get a fair amount of optional equipment as standard, such as all the driving dynamics control systems, rear-axle steering and ceramic composite brakes with 440mm discs at the front and 380mm at the rear. 

It wouldn’t be a new article if I didn’t include an Aaron spec Turbo S E-Hybrid. The starting price for the new Turbo S E-Hybrid is £168,700, but by the time I finished ticking the options boxes this had risen to £194,153. The total spent on options amounts to £25,453, which doesn’t include the £11,265 Aerokit!

However, if the Turbo S E-Hybrid is a bit too powerful for what you need, Porsche have also introduced the Panamera GTS. Often seen as the sweet spot in Porsche’s offerings, the new 2024 Panamera GTS uses the same 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8, producing 493 bhp. Unlike the new 911 GTS, there is no hybrid system. The V8 powerplant sends the GTS to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 187 mph. Unlike the Turbo S E-Hybrid, the GTS is offered with dual-chamber two-valve active air suspension which lowers the car by 10mm. 

The exterior of the GTS has its own unique touches to help differentiate it in the Panamera lineup, these include black GTS logos on the side and rear, dark-tinted Matrix LED head and tail lights as well as red brake callipers. As well as these changes, the standard sport pack which finishes exterior trim in satin-matt black further signifies sport in Gran Turismo Sport. 

Moving to the interior, Race-Tex (a suede-like material) is utilised on the roof lining, armrests, door panels and seat centres. Alongside this, there are specific GTS interior packages in either Carmine Red or Slate Grey Neo. A matt carbon interior package is available as an option.

Similarly to the Turbo S E-Hybrid, there’s a host of standard equipment such as the Bose sound system and the Sport Chrono package with a stopwatch and the push-to-pass function. 

Like the Turbo S E-Hybrid, I couldn’t help exploring on the configurator to get my perfect spec GTS. The GTS has a base price of £125,600 with my configuration coming in at £159,825 after adding Crayon paint, rear-axle steering, soft-closing doors and the passenger infotainment display. 

The new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and GTS are available to order now, with deliveries expected to begin in the second half of 2024. For those who have decided to order a new Panamera GTS or Turbo S E-Hybrid, Porsche will invite you to a bespoke driving experience around the tracks at their experience centre at Silverstone. So now that you’ve got the specs, which are you taking the keys to? The GTS or Turbo S? Personally, it has to be the Turbo S for me as it just emphasises that business jet characteristic of the Panamera.