PORSCHE PANAMERA GTS STEPS UP

Panamera’s GTS has come out guns blazing at the 2011 L.A. Auto Show. Panned between the 4S and the Turbo versions, the GTS features the same 4.8-litre V8 engine with natural aspiration. Not only that, but also a few special décor pieces that make sure it stands out from the usual crowd.

Maximum power for the Gran Turismo Sport is 316kW and peak torque is 520Nm at 3500rpm, all sent to the rear axle through the 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) gearbox. GTS roars more openly, thanks to a redline of 7100rpm. Porsche says the Panamera GTS will shift from 0 – 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 288 km/h.

The car rides on 19-inch wheels featuring 225/45/R19 tyres at the front and 285/40/R19 at the rear. At the same time there’s an adaptive air suspension system as well as Porsche’s Active Suspension Management or PASM.

As far as the exterior, the car comes standard with a high gloss exterior made of pieces like side window trims, a rear diffuser and air outlet panels among others. Black side skirts and front grille add to that drama, while the four LED daytime running lights make it stand out even more.

The inside comes, as has become Porsche GTS tradition, fitted nicely with Alcantara touches on door armrests, steering wheel if specified, and other areas. The GTS badge is quite evident around the interior as well. Some carbon fibre and brushed aluminium bits appear in areas like the centre console, door handles and dashboard.

Porsche South Africa will be selling the Panamera GTS from around Q2 in 2012, at a starting price of R1 251 000.