Porsche just lifted the covers on its third-generation Panamera. And while it doesn’t break major ground from a design direction, there’s plenty to take note of. The 2024 Porsche Panamera delivers more power, upgraded infotainment technology, improved safety gear, and enhanced ride and handling.
Porsche took the wraps of the third-generation Panamera in Shanghai.
It’s become the norm for manufacturers to roll out a series of teaser images leading up to the grand debut of a new model. And so it’s been with the 2024 Porsche Panamera making its formal debut today.
The third-generation luxury performance sedan may not deliver the sort of visual shock the original Panamera brought back in 2009, but there are still some notable, visual changes, inside and out.
What really deserves some attention is the way Porsche upgraded just about everything else — drivetrain and suspension, infotainment and safety. All told, for those who want sports car performance with more usable space than the classic 911, but don’t want an SUV, the 2024 Panamera is likely to draw some serious attention.
More muscular appearance
While the exterior design of the gen-3 sedan doesn’t plow new territory, Porsche designers did make some welcome tweaks to the 2024 Panamera. The overall shape is cleaner and more refined. And it broadly suggests there’s more power to be found under the hood, with larger air intakes and more muscular rear haunches.
There’s also a bit of faddishness, the new Panamera adopting a full-width rear lightbar. More functional are the new active matrix headlights. These allow the sedan to always operate with its brights on. But a smart control unit dims the pixelated LED bulbs, where needed, so as not to blind oncoming traffic, as well as drivers up ahead.
Porsche upgraded just about everything — drivetrain and suspension, infotainment and safety.
The 2024 model now offers new wheel options, as well as the first-ever use of center-locking wheels on a four-door Porsche.
Upgraded cabin
Inside, the new Panamera adopts what the automaker describes as the “Porsche Driver Experience” theme. It has clearly been influenced by the layout of the all-electric Taycan and adopts a more high-tech look and feel.
There’s still a hint of tradition here, however, with a blend of conventional analog and digital displays and controls. The gear selector is now positioned to the right of the steering wheel, and drivers don’t have to go hunting for the mode switch that allows them to choose between Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings.
There’s also a new, 10.9-inch infotainment screen available as an option that sits directly ahead of the front passenger. The screen is not visible to the driver, however. Standard are the 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and 10.9-inch touchscreen mounted atop the center console.
The new Panamera adds a variety of high-tech features, such as the MyPorsche app as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
New tech
Again, in keeping with what we’ve seen with Taycan, the new Panamera adds a variety of high-tech features, such as the MyPorsche app as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In certain situations, a driver now can exit the Panamera and park the vehicle remotely using that app.
There’s a wide array of advanced driver assistance technologies. And still more digital tech to enhance the new Panamera’s ride and handling. That includes a new evasive maneuver support feature included in the InnoDrive system. All versions of the 2024 Panamera come standard with new two-chamber air springs and adaptive dampers. But a buyer can upgrade to Porsche’s new Active Ride system. It eliminates anti-roll bars, instead going with single-chamber air springs and hydraulic cylinders at each corner.
That system can lean into a corner much like a rider would do with a motorcycle. It also can raise the car up to 2.2 inches for easier ingress and egress, or lower it as much as 1.2 inches for improved high-speed handling.
Drivetrain upgrades
The “base” versions of the 2024 Porsche Panamera, whether rear- or all-wheel drive, draw power from an upgraded turbo-6 making 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are up 23 hp and 37 lb-ft, respectively. Power is transmitted through an 8-speed PDK gearbox. The German automaker claims the base car will hit 60 in 5.0 seconds flat, though the Porsche Panamera 4 cuts that to 4.7 seconds.
The “base” versions of the 2024 Porsche Panamera, whether rear- or all-wheel drive, draw power from an upgraded turbo-6 making 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque.
Like a growing number of manufacturers, Porsche is using its hybridized package as its top performance option. The Panamera E-Hybrid features a 4.0-liter V-8 fitted with single-scroll turbos and an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed PDX gearbox.
The electric motor punches out up to 187 hp and gobs of instantaneous torque. Combined, the gas and electric drive components punch the number up to 670 hp and 685 lb-ft. Porsche promises 0-60 launches in 3.0 seconds, with a 195 mph top speed.
Expect to see an even more extreme Panamera Turbo S model at a later date.
Pricing and availability
The rear-drive 2024 Porsche Panamera starts at $101,550, with the Panamera 4 setting you back $108,550. Prices haven’t been released yet for the E-Hybrid but should approach the $200,000 mark.
Porsche has now opened the order books for the gen-3 sedan but deliveries aren’t expected to begin until next spring.
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