While all eyes and ears are set on the official rollout of the 2017 Porsche Panamera at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, the German luxury carmaker has increased the model range of its latest sports sedan with the introduction of a long wheelbase version officially called as the Panamera Executive.
In addition to the Panamera Executive, a new mechanical version entry access featuring a 3.0-liter V6 turbo engine with 330 horsepower will also debut during the event as part of Porsche’s effort to continuously expand the Panamera brand, reports Autoworld News.
The new Panamera Executive is the extended version of the Panamera range, with extra 150-mm wheelbase that allows for a greater space for rear passengers and also benefits from exclusive finishes and elements of the elongated variant.
The Porsche Panamera now have more versions with the new entry access and the most affordable of the range that is priced for just about $100,000. The new access model range of the 2017 Porsche Panamera will sport a V6 engine of 330 horsepower and increases its power by 30 horsepower over its predecessor that used the old 3.6-liter V6 engine.
The engine is a derivative specification V6 engine that Porsche and Audi share. The Porsche Panamera will now be the only rear-drive model range.
The model’s first appearance
The Panamera Executive made its first appearance for the 2014 model year, when the first-generation sedan received its mid-cycle facelift.
Offered in various trim levels, it had a 5.9-inch longer wheelbase and some extra standard equipment on the inside. For 2015, it also spawned an Exclusive Series model with a two-tone paint, bespoke interior, a limited, 100-unit production run, and a highly expensive sticker.
During the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche unveiled the second-generation Panamera Executive.
Much like the previous model, the new Panamera Executive brings a few extra goodies to the table, as well as the same 5.9 extra inches to the wheelbase, which translate into a more comfortable interior, especially for rear-seat passengers.
The elongated sedan is available in four trim levels, including the Panamera 4, 4S, 4 E-Hybrid, and Turbo, all based on the regular models and powered by the same drivetrains, details Top Speed.
The 4S and Turbo models also get soft-close doors, while the Turbo benefits from a four-zone climate control system and ambient lighting. As an option available for all Panamera Executive models, Porsche offers a larger, newly developed rear center console and the latest generation of Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment.
Porsche also offers a hybrid version of the Executive, based on the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. The model also gets its juice from a 2.9-liter V-6, but the gasoline engine is paired with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The combo cranks out 462 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, returning a 4.4-second 0 to 60 mph sprint and a top speed of 172 mph.
Features adaptive air suspension
All models are equipped with the quick-shifting PDK transmission. The sedans also feature adaptive air suspension with an electronically controlled damper system called the Porsche Active Suspension Management, while the 4S and Turbo models get rear-axle steering, just like the 911.
Pricing starts from $96,300 for the base Panamera 4 Executive model, which is $6,700 more than the standard-size Panamera 4. Pricing for the other three models is not yet available, but expect a similar premium over the regular models.
The 2017 Porsche Panamera also has a sports version officially called as 2017 Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, which has been recently sighted testing at the Nurburgring track in the last couple of weeks.
It is not the first time that the car has been spotted in public, particularly in Europe, but the new variant of the high-performance sedan from the German luxury carmaker features a shooting brake and versatility of a station wagon.