2013 Porsche Panamera GTS Preview

Interior Features

The new Panamera GTS is equipped with a "Sound Symposer" exhaust system that, when the car is placed in Sport mode, feeds engine intake sounds to the cabin to provide a pleasing soundtrack to enthusiast drivers. A pair of 18-way adaptive front sport seats is standard, wrapped in a combination of leather and Alcantara in the buyer's choice of five different colors. Alcantara, leather, and brushed aluminum trim is used to accent the Panamera GTS's cabin, and the driver faces a SportDesign steering wheel.

Optional Features

In addition to an available set of 20-inch aluminum wheels with 255/40 front and 295/35 rear tires, the new 2013 Panamera GTS can be upgraded with a choice between two interior packages that provide Carmine Red or GT Silver contrast stitching coupled with an embroidered "GTS" logo on the front-seat headrests. A Burmeister premium audio system is also available, as well as a number of additional upgrades.

Under the Hood

The Panamera GTS is equipped with a normally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8 engine making 430 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 384 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm. That's 30 hp and 15 lb.-ft. more than the Panamera 4S on which it is based. Porsche's 7-speed PDK automated manual gearbox transmits the power to all four of the GTS's wheels. Acceleration to 60 mph takes 4.3 seconds, according to Porsche, and the Panamera GTS can reach a top speed of 178 mph.

On the new Panamera GTS, Porsche installs a set of brakes donated by the Panamera Turbo. Porsche Carbon Ceramic Brakes are optional. The new GTS also gets an adaptive air suspension that is lowered 10mm and stiffened for improved handling and a tauter ride, the automaker says. Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard, continuously adapting the suspension to the road and the driver's inputs.

Additional mechanical features include a Sport Chrono Plus package with Normal and Sport driving modes as well as a Launch Control system, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control with a locking rear differential and active front and rear stabilizer bars. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus is also standard on the Panamera GTS, varying power distribution between the rear wheels to help the car rotate better in turns and accelerate faster out of them, according to the company.

Fuel Economy

According to the EPA, the Panamera GTS will return 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway for a combined rating of 19 mpg. Premium fuel is required.

Safety

Eight air bags come standard in the new Panamera GTS, with the option of adding side-impact air bags for the rear-seat passengers. Anti-lock brakes and Porsche Stability Management traction and stability control are also standard, and this car can be equipped with a reversing camera as well as a Lane Change Assist blind-spot monitoring system.