Once battling for its very survival, Porsche is a proverbial cash cow for the Volkswagen Group. You only need to glance over the options list for the Neunelfer to understand how big of a profit the Zuffenhausen-based company makes from high-priced extras. Think $43,390 for Exclusive Manufaktur Paint to Sample Plus exterior paint.
Speaking of Exclusive Manufaktur, the German automaker unveiled a one-off Panamera that showcases the Sonderwunsch program's virtually endless customization possibilities. Revealed in Shanghai rather than Porsche's home market or the United States of America, the V8-engined Panamera Turbo in question boasts a two-tone finish that brings together Leblon Violet Metallic and solid black.
Solid black is featured on the lower parts of the liftback sedan, whereas Leblon Violet Metallic beautifies the upper areas with a hint of chestnut. The most important detail about said paint job comes in the form of flakes vaporized with real gold for the clear coat. Zoom in, and you will notice pinstripes and two Sonderwunsch logos in Avium Metallic.
Avium Metallic carries over to the side window frames and 21-inch wheels. Indeed, those are centerlock wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes with glossy black for the calipers. Bronzite exhaust outlets, tinted headlights and taillights, as well as tinted windows only add to the visual drama.
The finishing touch? That would be the Turbonite badge up front, a metallic grey finish that replaces the Porsche crest's usual gold. Unfortunately for prospective customers, Porsche couldn't be bothered to publish any pictures of the vehicle's interior.
Photo: Porsche
Slightly longer than the all-electric Taycan, the Panamera soldiers on with V6 and V8 powertrains. Retailing at $99,900 before options and taxes for the 2024 model year, the go-faster sedan is battling the likes of the 8 Series Gran Coupe and GT 4-Door Coupe. Not surprising anyone, neither is a coupe in regard to the number of doors. The ridiculousness gets worse in the Merc's case, which is technically a five-door affair due to its top-hinged tailgate.
The biggest problem with the GT 4-Door, however, is that you can get it with a non-AMG engine despite being marketed under the Mercedes-AMG brand. Then again, what did you expect from the automaker that puts an equal sign between V8 and an I4? It's a shame to see the C 63 being downgraded to a 2.0-liter turbo, but on the upside, that inline-four engine is a proper AMG assembled by hand in Affalterbach.
Instead of watering down the Panamera, the folks at Porsche gifted it with more power and torque for both the V6 and V8. As opposed to 325 horsepower and 331 pound-feet (nearly 450 Nm) for the most basic of specifications, the Panamera now boasts 348 ponies at 368 pound-feet (almost 500 Nm) of torque.
Not available to configure stateside at the moment of reporting, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is the most powerful version available at launch. Building on the Turbo, the E-Hybrid belts out 670 horsepower and 685 pound-feet (930 Nm). Not long now, the Turbo S E-Hybrid is expected to drop with 729 ponies and 700 pound-feet (950 Nm) to its name.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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