GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

Porsche has shown the first official glimpse of a seemingly prettier Panamera.

The new Panamera Sport Turismo will debut at next week’s Geneva motor show, the German car-maker has confirmed, as the latest example of the German marque’s continued model proliferation.

Boasting a new “four-plus-one” seating concept along with increased luggage space and a low-loading height, the panamer wagon is expected to push Porsche into a new buying segment by bringing “the perfect combination of everyday usability and maximum flexibility”.

It will land in Australia from November priced from $232,800 plus on-road costs – a circa $12,000 premium over the equivalent entry-level Panamera. Every Australian-spec Sport Turismo will feature all-wheel drive traction and adaptive air suspension.

“For Porsche, the Panamera Sport Turismo is a step forward into a new segment, but retains all of those values and attributes that are characteristic of Porsche”, said Porsche design director, Michael Mauer.

The Sport Turismo retains many of the styling features debuted on the Sport Turismo concept shown at the 2012 Paris motor show. Former chief Mattias Muller, now the boss of VW, was reportedly so encouraged by the concept’s initial reaction that he green-lighted the project for production.

Not surprisingly, Porsche didn’t divert too far from the concept’s original proportions, calling on the same man who penned the beguiling Mission E concept, Mitja Bokert, who is now design boss at Lamborghini, to take charge.

The production version measures 5049mm long and 1937mm wide – identical to the donor car – while the 1428mm height measures 5mm taller than the saloon.

The wagon naturally has a longer roof design than the regular Panamera, one that features less rake and helps to incorporate a larger glass area. The tailgate retains the same width as the donor car but offers a larger aperture and lower loading lip.

The tailgate is also the foundation for a complex active spoiler claimed to enhance the car’s aerodynamic properties. It deploys in three stages based on speed and/or driving mode, and in its sportiest setting is said to create up to 50kg of downforce.

“Up to a speed of 170km/h, the aerodynamic guide element – a central system component of the Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) – stays in its retracted position with an angle of minus seven degrees, which reduces drag and thus optimises fuel consumption,” Porsche said in a statement.

“Above 170km/h, the roof spoiler automatically moves to the performance position with an angle of plus one degree, thereby increasing driving stability and lateral dynamics.

“When in the Sport and Sport Plus driving modes, the roof spoiler automatically moves to the performance position at speeds of 90km/h upwards. PAA also provides active assistance by adapting the roof spoiler’s angle to plus 26 degrees when the panoramic sliding roof is open at speeds of 90km/h or above. In this case, the spoiler helps to minimise wind noise.”

Inside, the wagon is the first Panamera to feature three rear seats. Owed in part to the longer roofline, the estate comprises two individual outside rear seats – the same as the donor car – and a middle pew, thereby creating a '2+1' seating solution. Porsche will also offer a regular two-plus-two seating layout across the cabin.

Further back, the Sport Turismo’s boot space measures about 20 litres larger than the sedan's, at 520 litres. This extends up to 1390 litres with the 40:20:40 rear seats stowed flat.

Porsche has confirmed five different versions of the Sport Turismo will be on display in Geneva: Panamera 4, Panamera 4S, Panamera 4S Diesel, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and Panamera Turbo. That's in addition to the stifling new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid - the new top dog of the regular line-up.

Each will offer like-for-like performance figures relative to the regular Panamera, topped by a 404kW version.

Other innovations borrowed from the saloon include Porsche’s digital Advanced Cockpit, assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, chassis systems such as rear axle steering and the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC Sport) electronic roll stabilisation system.

The Panamera Sport Turismo is available to order now, ahead of first deliveries commencing from November