The 2021 Porsche Panamera recently set a new "executive class" record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in its new Turbo S guise. That model, which replaces the previous Turbo, has a more powerful twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque, and Porsche claims that it'll reach 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.The Turbo was also powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, but that engine was good for 550 horses. Porsche has tweaked the 2021 Turbo S 4.0-liter's crankshaft, connecting rods, and fuel injectors and reduced the compression ratio to make the additional power, and it helps the Turbo S reach a top speed of 196 mph. For 2021, the standard Panamera swaps out the previous turbo 3.0-liter V-6 for a 325-hp version of the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 that powered the previous 4S model, the GTS model's twin-turbo V-8 gets a 20-hp bump to 473 horsepower, and there's also a new 552-hp 4S E-Hybrid model powered by the twin-turbo V-6 in conjunction with an electric motor and a 17.9-kWh battery pack.
Porsche's Active Suspension Management system with adaptive dampers comes standard on every 2021 Panamera. The powerful Turbo S adds active anti-roll bars, rear-axle steering, and carbon-ceramic brakes with either yellow or black calipers, and these are all available on the other Panamera models. Sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which were equipped on the 'Ring record-breaking car, are available on the Turbo S and should be available on the GTS model, too, a Porsche spokesman told Car and Driver.
All 2021 Panameras will come equipped with the previous model year's SportDesign front end, which adds blacked-out air intakes and was previously a $5660 option on the standard Panamera. The Turbo S has larger air intakes and a unique headlight signature. A SportDesign package, new for 2021, can be had with or without carbon-fiber touches. The continuous taillight is bolder on the 2021 cars, much like that on the new Macan, and there are two new 20- and 21-inch wheel choices and new Cherry Red and Truffle Brown exterior colors. Additionally, a new, louder sport exhaust is standard on the GTS and available on the Turbo S.
The standard Panamera and the new 4S E-Hybrid come equipped with eight-way adjustable seats, the Turbo S gets 14-way seats with memory, and the GTS model comes with 18-way adaptive sport seats. The 14- and 18-way seats are available on the lower trim levels as well. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard across the board, and the Turbo S gets a 14-speaker Bose sound system, while a 21-speaker Burmester system is available on all models. A GT Sport steering wheel with leather-wrapped paddle shifters is equipped on the Turbo S, and the GTS's GT Sport steering wheel is covered in Porsche's suedelike Race-Tex material.
Orders for the 2021 Porsche Panamera will open at the start of 2021, and they'll arrive in dealerships in the spring. Pricing is expected to start at just under $90,000 and top out at over $150,000 for the Turbo S.