In case you'd forgotten, it's possible to bag yourself a brand-new, rear-drive Panamera for as little as £70,750. Possible - but unlikely. The entry-level version of most luxury cars are typically shown the kind of disdain that would be familiar to a 15th century pauper. Especially in the UK, where upgrading your chosen trim level is practically a way of life.
Saints be praised then for the new Panamera Platinum Edition - an 'elegant and exclusive' version of Porsche's exec special, which is being trumpeted as a distinct model, but is in fact an old-fashioned attempt to pump some life into the less exciting models. As a result, the Platinum Edition is only available on the Panamera, the Panamera 4 and the 4 E-Hybrid (and the Sport Turismo). Or at least it is elsewhere in the world - Porsche's UK customer website suggests it has excluded the base rear-drive Panamera, on the basis that (we're guessing here) no one buys it anyway.
So what do you get for your hefty premium? Well, somewhat predictably, a lot of stuff that was previously optional, including adaptive air suspension with PASM, LED matrix headlights, a panoramic roof, Park Assist with reversing camera and, on the hybrid models, the onboard AC charger. Which is all very nice, but the real boon is arguably the platinum-painted 21-inch Exclusive Design Sport wheels, black sports tailpipes, privacy glass, gloss-black window trims and Exclusive Design tail lights. It is by this medium that the neighbours will know you haven't scrimped.
Elsewhere, the air outlet trim behind the front wheels, the Porsche logo and the model designation all get finished in platinum paint. It's probably fair to say it looks the part. And will likely feel it to sit in, because inside, Porsche has added the GT sports steering wheel, soft-close doors, 14-way electrically adjustable front seats, heated rears, a Bose surround sound system and a whole lot of brushed aluminium in black finish. The Platinum Edition is due at the LA show later this month, but you can order it straightaway from £83,510 for the Panamera 4, rising to £94,840 for the E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.
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