New Porsche Panamera Turbo S to Debut at the 2011 NYIAS

The most powerful Panamera is currently tailoring its best clothes for its first encounter with the North American public, as German automaker Porsche today confirmed it is bringing the new four-door Panamera Turbo S to the New York International Auto Show, scheduled to take place on April 20, 2011. Set to go on sale in the U.S. later this spring, the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S will have a base MSRP of $173,200, excluding $975 for delivery and destination charge.

But let’s see what customers get for that amount of money. For instance, new 20-inch Turbo II wheels with increased rear axle track width, side skirts from the Porsche Exclusive range and the adaptive four-way extending rear spoiler. Interior highlights include a new combination of black/cream, which is offered exclusively for the new Panamera Turbo S, with Agate Grey/cream also being added as an exclusive option later this year. Agate Gray Metallic will also be an exclusive exterior color.

Standard features of the Turbo S variant include Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), Porsche's advanced speed-sensitive Servotronic steering system, a sports exhaust system, and the Sport Chrono Package Turbo.

We’ve saved the best for last: the engine. The 4.8 liter, V8 unit fitted in the Turbo S achieves a maximum output of 550 horsepower (up 10 percent from the 500 horsepower delivered by the Panamera Turbo). The torque is also increased over the Turbo from 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) to 553 lb-ft. (750 Nm). In the "Sport" and "Sport Plus" mode of the standard Sport Chrono Package Turbo, the overboost function can temporarily generate additional torque with a peak rating of 590 lb.-ft. (800 Nm).

That amount of power, combined with Launch Control, help the newest Panamera reach 60 mph (97 km/h) in just 3.6 seconds. The top track speed is 190 mph (306 km/h). According to Porsche, official EPA fuel economy estimates for the Panamera Turbo S will be available when the car goes on sale in North America.

autoevolution will be attending the 2011 New York International Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.