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Porsche reveals new Panamera Turbo S ahead of Tokyo debut

For many buyers in the market for a luxury sports sedan, style is as important as performance. But while the Porsche Panamera undoubtedly delivers in the latter category, it falls somewhat short in the former. Porsche went to some lengths (if not quite far enough for some tastes) to improve its four-door model's visual appeal with the facelift revealed earlier this year, but now it's time to up the performance game with the new Panamera Turbo S.
Set to be revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in just a few weeks from now, the new top-tier Panamera benefits from several key upgrades over the existing Turbo and the pre-facelift Turbo S. For one, its 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 now produces 570 horsepower (up from 520 in the new Turbo and 550 in the old Turbo S and the latest Cayenne Turbo S) and 553 pound-feet of torque (up from the current Turbo's 516 but the same as the previous model). Despite the power boost, however, Porsche is quoting the same 3.6-second 0-60 time for the new Panamera Turbo S as it did for the previous one - but then that hardly required improvement in the first place. Top speed, however, is up to 192 miles per Autobahn-blurring hour, two mph faster than the previous model.
Other features include carbon-ceramic brakes (hopefully with more durable bolts than sister companies Lamborghini and Bentley have been using) packed inside the wheels from the 911 Turbo and an exclusive shade of greige called Palladium. And for the first time, customers will be able to order this top-spec model in long-wheelbase Executive trim. But don't expect it to come cheap: MSRP (before delivery and options) is quoted at $180,300 for the standard wheelbase and $200,500 for the stretched model. That's two and a half times the price of a base Panamera, and makes the new Panamera Turbo S Executive both the most expensive and most powerful Porsche your can buy this side of a 918 Spyder. Haven't passed out yet? There's more to digest in the press release, so head on down below to take it all in.

$1.4B hedge fund suit against Porsche dismissed

Investors have canvassed courts in Europe and the US to repeatedly sue Porsche over its failed attempt to take over Volkswagen in 2008 (see here, and here and here), and they have repeatedly failed to win any cases. You can add another big loss to the tally, with Bloomberg reporting that the Stuttgart Regional Court has dismissed a 1.4-billion euro ($1.95B US) lawsuit, the decision explained by the court's assertion that the investors would have lost on their short bets even if Porsche hadn't misled them.
Examining the hedge funds' motives for stock purchases and the bets that VW share prices would fall, judge Carola Wittig said that the funds didn't base their decisions on the key bits of "misinformation," and instead were participating simply in "highly speculative and naked short selling," only to get caught out.
With other cases still pending, the continued streak of victories bodes well for Porsche's courtroom fortunes, since judges will expect new information to consider overturning precedent. If there is any new info, it could come from the potential criminal cases still outstanding against former CEO Wendelin Wiedeking and CFO Holger Härter, who were both indicted on charges of market manipulation.

Porsche Macan Turbo gets a Performance Pack, because more power is better

The entire Porsche Macan lineup is turbocharged, but the Turbo (with a capital T) is the fastest, most powerful model. And now, thanks to a new Performance Package, the Macan Turbo solidifies its role as the benchmark. With the package, the Macan Turbo's twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 gets bumped up to 440 horsepower (40 horsepower more) and 442 pound-feet of torque (an increase of 36 pound-feet). The increase results in a zero to 60 mph time of 4.2 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the regular Macan Turbo, and a higher top speed of 169 mph, up five mph. The Macan Turbo was already quicker than its competition, but the new pack increases the performance gap between the Audi SQ5, Mercedes-AMG GLC43, and BMW X3. Opting for the Macan Turbo with the Performance Package also adds a lower suspension, upgraded brakes, and the makes the Sport Chrono Package equipment standard. The Performance Pack also adds more options, including 21-inch wheels similar to the Porsche 911 Turbo's, LED headlights, and various trim that can be finished in black. The interior also gets a sportier touch with the addition of Alcantara touches and carbon-fiber pieces. The Macan Turbo with Performance Package is available now for $87,495 – or $10,445 more than a base Macan Turbo. As we said in our first drive of the Macan Turbo, it's an impressive machine. So while the Performance Package makes it even better, that's a lot of money for a slight increase in performance. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Porsche Macan Turbo with Performance Package News Source: PorscheImage Credit: Porsche Porsche Crossover SUV Luxury Performance porsche macan porsche macan turbo