Photo: kelsonik / Instagram
Against all odds, the third-generation 2024 Porsche Panamera is live, and the nameplate continues to exist despite all the voices that spilled impending doom. But is it spicy enough in OEM form?
As per its modern tradition, after joining the crossover SUV ranks with the Cayenne and later the Macan, Porsche also embarked on a journey of discovery with its first-ever executive car, a five-door fastback saloon and Shooting Brake named Panamera, after the (in)famous Carrera Panamericana from Mexico.
Many detractors, at the time of its launch in 2009, said the Panamera stood against everything Porsche believed in – namely lightweight two-door rear-engine sports cars. And here it was, a front-engine, full-size, four-passenger, four/five-door luxury liftback saloon that weighed almost 4,000 pounds. Years later, here it is again, this time proudly debuting as a third-generation model.
That's against all odds of people who thought it wouldn't sell significantly (it didn't) or who believed the arrival of the Taycan full EV (which is basically a cooler Panamera) would finally kill off the whaling sedan and Shooting Brake. Well, again, the deed is not done yet. Instead, its third iteration just debuted with refreshed looks that will have some claim it's merely a facelift, the new Porsche Active Ride suspension, and four different E-Hybrid powertrains.
For now, we only know the looks of the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid as this version is the first one unveiled, complete with a reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, a 188-hp electric motor, and a reasonably large 25.9 kWh battery pack. The total is impressive, as always – 670 hp and zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in three seconds, plus a top speed of 195 mph (314 kph). But is that enough in this day and age?
Of course, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators thinks not. As such, like with every major new model introduction, there is at least one artist who believes the OEM cocktail can be improved with a few shots of CGI. Thus, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right virtual time to fiddle with the newly revealed Panamera.
The first order of digital business was to devise four new colors, including a more resounding red-orange, among others. The second was to give it a nice set of all-black 23-inch Y-spoke Vossen aftermarket wheels, as well as tinted lights and front windows to go along with it nicely. Thirdly, and most importantly, the author got rid of all the chrome around the body and instead offered us his signature 'Shadow Line' treatment instead.
Now, do you think that makes the Panamera slightly cooler than before, and is that enough to persuade you to buy one instead of the all-electric Taycan, for example?
Many detractors, at the time of its launch in 2009, said the Panamera stood against everything Porsche believed in – namely lightweight two-door rear-engine sports cars. And here it was, a front-engine, full-size, four-passenger, four/five-door luxury liftback saloon that weighed almost 4,000 pounds. Years later, here it is again, this time proudly debuting as a third-generation model.
That's against all odds of people who thought it wouldn't sell significantly (it didn't) or who believed the arrival of the Taycan full EV (which is basically a cooler Panamera) would finally kill off the whaling sedan and Shooting Brake. Well, again, the deed is not done yet. Instead, its third iteration just debuted with refreshed looks that will have some claim it's merely a facelift, the new Porsche Active Ride suspension, and four different E-Hybrid powertrains.
For now, we only know the looks of the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid as this version is the first one unveiled, complete with a reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, a 188-hp electric motor, and a reasonably large 25.9 kWh battery pack. The total is impressive, as always – 670 hp and zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in three seconds, plus a top speed of 195 mph (314 kph). But is that enough in this day and age?
Of course, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators thinks not. As such, like with every major new model introduction, there is at least one artist who believes the OEM cocktail can be improved with a few shots of CGI. Thus, Nikita Chuicko, the virtual artist better known as kelsonik on social media, thinks now is the right virtual time to fiddle with the newly revealed Panamera.
The first order of digital business was to devise four new colors, including a more resounding red-orange, among others. The second was to give it a nice set of all-black 23-inch Y-spoke Vossen aftermarket wheels, as well as tinted lights and front windows to go along with it nicely. Thirdly, and most importantly, the author got rid of all the chrome around the body and instead offered us his signature 'Shadow Line' treatment instead.
Now, do you think that makes the Panamera slightly cooler than before, and is that enough to persuade you to buy one instead of the all-electric Taycan, for example?
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