Tokyo motor show 2013: Porsche Panamera Turbo S facelift

The revised Porsche Panamera Turbo S has been revealed, and is pictured here for the first time.

Porsche has raised the already imposing performance potential of the Turbo S, giving the facelifted model a 20bhp boost in reserves to take the output of its twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8 up to 562bhp – 49bhp more than the recently introduced facelifted Panamera Turbo.

To be revealed to the public at the upcoming Tokyo motor show prior to the start of UK sales in February 2014, the range-topping Panamera model adopts the various exterior and interior styling upgrades brought to other less powerful Panamera models earlier this year.

Included in the mid-life make-over is a new front bumper with larger air intakes and redesigned head lamps with LED operation.

Bigger changes are concentrated at the rear, which receives a larger rear window within the tailgate along with a colour-keyed four-way spoiler and a new bumper which now houses the licence plate.

Together with the standard model, Porsche now offers the Panamera Turbo S in Executive form with a 150mm longer wheelbase in selected markets, both running  20-inch 911 Turbo-style wheels shod with 285/40 and 295/35 profile tyres as standard.

At the heart of the facelifted Panamera Turbo S is a lightly revised version of its predecessor’s twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8. It gains new turbochargers boasting a larger compressor for improved air flow and combustion.

Further changes are concentrated on the injection system, which now operates at a pressure of 140 bar – up from a previous 120 bar. New pistons and piston rings featuring a newly developed aluminium coasting are also used.  

Despite delivering more power than before, the reworked engine continues to serve up a nominal 553lb ft of torque, but on a slightly wider range of revs between 2250 and 5000rpm.

An overboost function sees the maximum torque rating raised to 590lb ft, but only for short bursts of full throttle action.

Porsche is not making any claims on the kerb weight of the facelifted Panamera Turbo S just yet, although insiders say the standard (2920mm) wheelbase model remains close to the 1995kg of its predecessor, suggesting the power-to-weight ratio has been improved.

With its heady reserves channelled through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and Haldex-style multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system boasting a torque vectoring feature, the 0-62mph time remains unchanged at 3.8sec. However, in-gear acceleration is claimed to have improved slightly.

Top speed has also increased from a previous 190mph to a new ceiling of 193mph. At the same time, combined cycle economy has improved a claimed 11 per cent to 27.7mpg.