On sale in June, priced from £122,623, the new flagship model in the Panamera range promises a healthy 10% increase in power from the uprated twin-turbo V8, to give 550HP – and as much as 800Nm of torque on over-boost.

This will accelerate the owner of the range-topping Turbo S to 62mph in a mere 3.8 seconds, and on to 191mph. Yet fuel economy is no different from the standard Panamera Turbo (24.6mpg Combined).

Meanwhile, all that performance of course requires some fairly sophisticated chassis control, and the Turbo S does not disappoint. Every car comes with Porsche’s Dynamic Chassis Control, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, as standard. This latter, (the ‘PTV Plus’) applies a variable torque split to the rear wheels which – combined with the electronically controlled limited-slip diff – enhances both traction and agility. And the Sport Chrono Package Turbo, which tunes the suspension settings and engine controls, gives an even more sporting flavour to the driving experience when the ‘Sport Plus’ button is pressed.

The exterior appearance of the new model sets the scene with 20-inch Turbo II alloy wheels, increased rear axle track width, side skirts and a colour-coordinated finish for the adaptive extending four-way rear spoiler. Inside, the two-colour leather upholstery will be available from the autumn in two, new, optional combinations of black/cream and agate grey/cream, exclusively for the Panamera Turbo S.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Porsche