Fastback and estate models are distinguished with 460hp of turbo power, sporty looks and firmer chassis.
Just what the Panamera needs!
Porsche has taken the wraps off the fifth engine variance in the Panamera family. The so-called GTS is now available for both the regular fastback and Sport Turismo estate.
Like in many other GTS models of yore, the sportiness of the Panamera GTS (standing from Grand Touring Sport) has been underscored by the usual dark shades around the car like on the wheels, window lines, exhaust pipe and skirts.
Likewise, the interior of the Panamera GTS has been adorned with racy shades and trim via the use of red stitching and Alcantara upholstery.
It also becomes the first Panamera to get configurable head-up display for more driving comfort at high speeds.
While three-chamber air suspension is standard, the chassis of the Panamera GTS has been lowered by 10mm. Housed within the 20-inch wheels are bigger disc brakes.
From this point, you could already consider this to be the sportiest Panamera to drive. As you said, the GTS could just be what the Panamera needs because the other variances have become so comfy to drive and somehow contradicts Porsche’s sporty image.
Is it V6 from smaller brother or V8 from bigger bro?
The Panamera GTS becomes the latest Porsche to ditch naturally aspirated power in which the predecessor employed a 440hp 4.8-litre non-turbo V8.
But rather than getting an uprated 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 from the Panamera S, the Panamera GTS receives a detuned version of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 from the Panamera Turbo.
Outputs in the latest Panamera GTS are rated at 460hp and 620Nm representing increases of 20hp and 100Nm from the outgoing model. And when equipped with the standard eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and launch control of the Sport Chrono package, the Panamera GTS goes from 0-100kph in 4.1sec.
To put that into perspective, performance of the Panamera GTS falls in between the Panamera S (440hp and 4.2sec) and Panamera Turbo (550hp and 3.6sec).
How does that swanky four-door from AMG compare?
If you mean the clumsily-called Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, there is no direct match for the Panamera GTS.
Of the four engine versions announced by Mercedes, the one that comes closest is the “53” powered by 435hp 3.0-litre inline-six with both turbo and electric assistance. It has a slower 4.5sec 0-100kph acceleration time.
Probably the one that will be chosen for the GT 4-Door Coupe in Thai showrooms later this year is the “43” with 367hp priced at some 10 million baht.
That said, the Panamera GTS is still basically in a class of its own and would likely nudge the 15 million baht level due to its bigger performance.
