Stuttgart’s sporty Gran Turismos are receiving reinforcements in the guise of a long range cruiser with an impressive turn of speed. With a range in excess of 1,200 kilometres on an 80 litre tank, the new Panamera Diesel is a good bet as a distinctly economical GT saloon. Thanks to its fuel consumption of only 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres based on the NEDC with the optional low friction tyres – which equates to 167 g/km CO2 – in purely arithmetical terms, the first Porsche Gran Turismo with a six-cylinder diesel engine can drive from Berlin to Bologna without refuelling. With the standard tyres the fuel consumption of 6.5 l/100 km (172 g/km CO2) is also very low.
The Panamera Diesel copes effortlessly with short bursts of speed and alpine transits. This is delivered by the smooth-running three-litre V6 engine with a rated output of 250 hp (184 kW) achieved between 3,800 rpm and 4,400 rpm. The maximum torque of 550 Nm available all the way from 1,750 rpm to 2,750 rpm delivers high pulling power. Married to the highly efficient eight-speed Tiptronic S, the six-cylinder turbo diesel powers the new Gran Turismo from a standing start to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 242 km/h (150 mph). The Panamera Diesel is exclusively available with rear-wheel drive.
The Porsche Panamera Diesel’s three-litre V6 engine is the state of the art in diesel technology: Common rail direct injection through piezo valves at a pressure of 2000 bar, turbocharging employing electrically controlled variable geometry turbochargers (VGTs) and emission control achieved by controlled exhaust gas recirculation, oxidation catalyst and particle filter. This is how high performance, generous torque and low consumption find themselves accompanied by smooth running, reliability and low emissions. An additional contributing factor is the auto start/stop function fitted as standard.
In terms of its driving dynamics and comfort, the Panamera Diesel is a genuine Porsche Gran Turismo through and through. Adaptive air suspension is available as an alternative to the standard steel spring suspension if so desired. This makes for a very wide spread of suspension characteristics with further enhancements to ride comfort on the one hand and very sporty driving dynamics on the other.
Developed from the outset as a four-seater vehicle, in terms also of interior design and the individual comfort of each and every occupant the Gran Turismo ploughs its own furrow. Notwithstanding its distinctive flat and stretched silhouette, 4.97 metres in length and a mere 142 centimetres high, the Panamera Diesel affords generous accommodation for all four seats. The new model can be recognised by the lettering “diesel” on the front doors.
The Panamera Diesel costs 80,183 euro in Germany including VAT and country-specific equipment and will be available for delivery from August 2011.
