Porsche has added a number of bells and whistles to the already rather zippy 4-door Panamera Gran Turismo to bring into the world the zippier 2012 Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo Sport, an even-higher performance, sportier version.
2012 Porsche Panamera GTS photo
Power has been boosted from the 300 hp of the Panamera base version's 3.6L V6 to a distinctly gutsy 430 hp, generated by a 4.8L naturally aspirated V8. This tops the Panamera GTS's sister models, the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, by 30 hp, which will be handy if you ever happen to pull up alongside one at a stoplight. Ha, ha, you shall chortle as you leave them in the dust. Max torque is upped to 520 Nm from 500 Nm.
2012 Porsche Panamera GTS photo
Porsche has lowered the body by a centimeter and added an "especially sportily tuned chassis with air suspension and PASM", which should presumably lead to tighter cornering. Cosmetic tweaks have been applied both hither, thither and yon on the exterior, including black highlights for that "I know I'm just schlepping the kids to the ex-wife and her irritatingly vegan socio-anthropologist boyfriend, but I'm doing it with attitude" feeling.
2012 Porsche Panamera GTS photo
Porsche claims 0-100 km / h is accomplished in less than 4.5 seconds, which seems perfectly reasonable. And fuel efficiency, for a car of that size, weight and power, is acceptable at 10.9 l / 100 km, which translates into 21.5 mpg, about the same as a 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup if you're comparison shopping.
Some more insights from Porsche on the Panamera GTS's sporty sportiness:
Its chassis in particular makes it fit for the racing circuit: The adaptive air suspension and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) featured as standard connect the chassis and body, constantly adapting to the driving challenges by regulating levelling settings, adjusting height, adjusting the spring rate and electrically adjusting the damping system. The damping is designed to be tauter, which helps agility and further reinforces the new Gran Turismo’s sporty personality. Five millimetre thick wheel spacers between the wheel and the wheel carriers increase the rear axle track width, giving the Panamera an even more stable ride. The required grip is provided by 255/45 size 19-inch tyres on the front axle and 285/40 on the rear axle. Deceleration on the sporty Panamera is provided by the superlative braking system of the Panamera Turbo.
2012 Porsche Panamera GTS photo
In Europe, the Panamera GTS will be launched next February at a base price of about €116,000, not including bike rack and Baby on Board stickers.
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