Auto Test
Porsche Panamera GTS
More power, enhanced sporting character and added dynamics for the Panamera. Porsche have given their sports limousine an energy cure. The new Panamera GTS is for the customer who finds the 4S too tame. And our test confirms that this customer will be fully satisfied. (Jürgen Schramek , 24.01.2012)
For the man who has everything
Anyone who has no difficulty in laying down a six-figure sum for the purchase of an automobile can easily be termed a man who already has everything. And such a man… or indeed woman… who sees the Porsche Panamera 4S with its 400 horsepower (294 kW) as underpowered must no longer despair of finding a solution. Although the answer to the problem will wear a price tag reading at least 116,716 Euros. The sticker will be on a Panamera GTS, twelve thousand Euros more costly than the Panamera 4S. But the buyer of the latest addition to the model family can rejoice in the 430 horsepower (316 kW) now at his disposal. Furthermore the Panamera GTS is much more fully equipped and is a far more agile automobile as the initial testing on the race circuit proved.
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- The ‘Kaminrot’ finish is exclusive to the GTS and various body trim elements in black identify the GTS, capable of reaching a top speed of 288 kilometres an hour.
High-revving pleasures
With the arrival of the GTS the Panamera family has grown to be very big indeed with no fewer than nine model versions. Central to all is the modified 4.8 litre V8 motor. In order to achieve the increase in output of 30 horsepower over the S4 the Porsche engineers have increased the rated RPMs of the aluminium naturally aspirated engine by 200 to 6,700 revs. This also increases the maximum revs to 7,100. When the revs go above 3,500 two flaps in the air intake duct automatically open. This allows additional air to reach the cylinders. Two modified camshafts and reprogramming of the motor management electronics for the direct injection system round out the engine cure given to the GTS.
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- The driver now feels much more well informed concerning the nature of the road surface without being subjected to disagreeable jolts.
Smooth and sensual acceleration
Sliding into the comfortable sports seat and starting the engine with the press of a button is the prelude to motoring enjoyment in the Porsche Panamera GTS. Then the driver uses the selector on the central console to call up the seven-stage PDK transmission so that subsequent gear changes can be made via the steering wheel paddles. In the GTS the ‘Sport Chrono Package’ is installed as standard and the most sporting drive mode… with fine gearing and motor management settings… ensures a quick getaway. The slightest touch of the accelerator has consequences which are nothing short of sensational. The power unleashed pushes the occupants back in their seats and the speedometer needle begins to dance. After a mere 4.5 seconds the GTS will have catapulted to a hundred kilometres an hour and the acceleration continues until the speedo reads 288. There is the feeling that at no time is there any lag, no interruption of the power delivery. Given that he is being thrust back into his seat the driver will be pleased to be able to shift via the paddles installed as standard on the sports steering wheel. All the while the car’s occupants will be treated to the deep growling of the motor…more sonorous even than that of the Panamera 4S… as the 1,920 kilogram giant Porsche forges ahead.
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- The GTS is the ninth model in Porsche’s Panamera range. With 430 horsepower and a specially adjusted suspension it is a car trimmed for maximum motoring enjoyment.
Lower, stiffer and more agile
The suspension set for sporting exploits has air cushioning and the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) control system which not only lowers the body by ten millimetres but is also in generally stiffer. The driver now feels best informed concerning the nature of the road surface without being subjected to disagreeable jolts.
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- The suspension set for sporting exploits has air cushioning and the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) control system which not only lowers the body by ten millimetres but is also in generally stiffer.
Suspension magic
The true brilliance of the suspension engineers becomes evident when the GTS is taken onto the racetrack. Here it becomes clear what significant advantages are derived from the modified running gear with the ten millimetre wider track on the rear axle. The GTS simply hugs the asphalt. The steering is both direct and agile and even the slightest command gets an immediate response making it easy to keep the auto on course as if it were running on rails. The suspension setting is very neutral. Only when the cornering speed is very high, or when there is a sudden change of load, does the back of the car push towards the outside of the bend. But even this is not an abrupt reaction… it happens gradually and is easily compensated for by the driver with a bit of practice. The brakes are robust… coming from the Panamera Turbo… and at the front feature six-piston calipers gripping 390 millimetre internally ventilated double discs. Even at the limit of the car’s performance they function admirably. All in all, the Porsche Panamera has benefitted from a suspension giving driving dynamics which even to the Porsche engineers must seem like magic. It goes without saying that the many electronic assistant systems also help to make the Panamera GTS not only very dynamic but also very safe.
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- The ‘Kaminrot’ finish is exclusive to the GTS.The additional cost of about twelve thousand Euros for the Panamera GTS in comparison with the 4S version is fully justified. Our verdict… the GTS is the best and most well-rounded Panamera in the Porsche portfolio.
Exclusive livery
The GTS will be immediately recognized by its huge air intakes at the front and an automatically deploying four-way rear spoiler. There are bi-Xenon headlights, 19 inch alloys, and various body trim elements in black including the tailpipes, the side skirts and the rear diffuser. The ‘Kaminrot’ finish is exclusive to the GTS. And mention must be made of the considerable face-lift given to the interior of the Panamera GTS… a fact easily overlooked when there is so much sheer power and enjoyment to revel in.
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- Mention must be made of the considerable face-lift given to the interior of the Panamera GTS… a fact easily overlooked when there is so much sheer power and enjoyment to revel in.
GTS as the first choice
The additional cost of about twelve thousand Euros for the Panamera GTS in comparison with the 4S version is fully justified. The GTS not only offers more power and a real enhancement of the driving dynamics, but also a much higher equipment level. This latter helps to reduce the apparent price difference almost to zero. This is the reason why many customers will be inclined to go for the car delivering such increased motoring pleasure. Our verdict… the GTS is the best and most well-rounded Panamera in the Porsche portfolio.
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Auto Test
Porsche Panamera GTS
More power, enhanced sporting character and added dynamics for the Panamera. Porsche have given their sports limousine an energy cure. The new Panamera GTS is for the customer who finds the 4S too tame. And our test confirms that this customer will be fully satisfied.
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