Porsche is putting the finishing touches on the facelifted Panamera as spy photographers have snapped a lightly camouflaged prototype undergoing testing.
In typical Porsche fashion, the updates are minor and virtually impossible to notice without a side-by-side comparison. That being said, the model has an updated front bumper and revised lighting units. Speaking of the latter, there are new taillights which are partially hidden by black camouflage.
The rear bumper appears to carry over, but there will be an updated diffuser. Given these small changes, it’s no wonder the golden wheels are the most eye-catching thing about this prototype.
The modest updates will continue in the cabin as previous spy photos haven’t shown much more than a revised steering wheel. However, the model could potentially be hiding some more extensive upgrades including an updated infotainment system and new driver assistance features.
Under the hood, we can likely expect an assortment of familiar engine options. However, they’ll likely be updated to be more powerful and efficient. In particular, engineers could add particle filters to help reduce emissions.
While there’s no word on specifics at this point, the current Panamera lineup starts with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that develops 325 hp (243 kW / 330 PS) and 330 lb-ft (447 Nm) of torque. Moving up the ladder is the Panamera S which has a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 developing 434 hp (324 kW / 440 PS) and 405 lb-ft (548 Nm) of torque.
Likewise, the Panamera GTS has twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 453 hp (338 kW / 460 PS) and 457 lb-ft (619 Nm) of torque. That same engine can be found in the Panamera Turbo where it develops 542 hp (404 kW / 550 PS) and 567 lb-ft (769 Nm) of torque.
On the eco-friendly side, there are two plug-in hybrids. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is the most notable as it combines a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. This gives the model a combined output of 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque.