The Los Angeles Motor Show was the platform for the debut of Porsche’s new Panamera GTS. Based on the Panamera 4S, the latest model is tougher, faster and sportier.
The engine has been upgraded t0 the 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8, making a total of 424bhp and 384lb ft with an additional 30 horsepower. Torque has been increased from 360 lb-ft to 384 lb-ft and the motor is coupled with a 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission in the Sport Chrono package.
The Porsche GTS weighs in at 1920kg which explains the 25.9mpg combined fuel economy and 256g/km of CO2 released. Porsche has also dropped the body by 10mm, tightened the damping system and tuned the chassis with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Handling is improved by the body drop, 19 inch Turbo wheels, Porsche Ceramic Composite Breaks (PCCB) and bigger brake discs.
The interior is fitted and styled with sports seats, SportDesign steering wheel with shift paddles, exclusive GTS leather interior and Alcantara surfaces.
An extraordinary feature is the new ‘Sound Symposer’ system that diverts intake noise into the cabin at a push of a button in the cockpit and plays that actual noise into the cabin via a membrane in the A-pillar.
The Porsche GTS will be available for purchase in the UK with a pricetag of £90,409 (about R1,165,470).
