2012 Porsche Panamera: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2012 Porsche Panamera lineup expands further with the addition of new high-performance and gas/electric hybrid trims. This premium-large car is a 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback. Rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive "4" models are offered. All use a front-mounted engine. New for 2012 is the rear-drive gas/electric S Hybrid. It pairs a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 380 horsepower total. Its sole transmission is an 8-speed automatic. Additional new models in the Panamera range are the sporty GTS and high-end Turbo S. Both have all-wheel drive and a 4.8-liter V8 engine. The GTS has 430-horsepower, and the Turbo S has 550. Returning for 2012 are the Base Panamera and Panamera 4, which have a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine. Also offered are the S, 4S, and Turbo, all of which use the same 4.8-liter V8 engine as the GTS and Turbo S. S and 4S have 400 horsepower, and the Turbo has 500. All non-hybrid Panamera models, including the Turbo S, have a 7-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission that behaves much like an automatic. Safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front- and rear-side airbags, and front-knee airbags. All have an engine stop and start feature that shuts off the engine when the car is stopped and restarts it when the brake pedal is released. Electronic suspension control optional on V6 models and standard otherwise. Available features include 4-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, split-folding rear seat, a rear refrigerator, steering-linked bi-xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, and DVD entertainment. Standard on the Turbo S and available on other Panamera models is Porsche Torque Vectoring, which can automatically distribute engine torque between the rear wheels based on factors including steering angle, steering speed, throttle pedal position, and vehicle speed.