Panamera previews new Porsches

Porsche's all-new Panamera is a sneak peek at things to come from the iconic brand.

Featuring a new platform, suspension and all-new cockpit and human machine interface concept which features large screens and touch sensitive flush panels, the new Porsche limo telegraphs what's coming in the next generation Cayenne, as well as other models.

The platform is known internally as MSB. It is closely related to Audi's favoured MLB structure. Unlike Ingolstadt's 'kit', which is front- and all-wheel-drive capable, however, the Porsche designed and developed MSB is rear and all-wheel drive optimised.

Porsche's other platform responsibility is the structure that underpins the current 911 range, and will in a future generation of cars also be used across the group's wider rear and mid-engined needs.

Key to the new Panamera's handling and poise are a new three-chamber air-suspension design and Porsche's 4D Chassis Control concept, which controls rolls stabilisation, suspension response, traction and all-wheel drive systems, and the maker's latest rear-wheel steering set-up. All of these systems are set to find their way into the all-new Cayenne that's expected in 2018.

So too the wagon version of the Panamera, dubbed Gran Turismo. That car, already shown in concept form is now slated for release in 2017 – most likely with a debut at the Geneva motor show in March.

Unlike the Panamera, which will remain strictly a four-seater, the wagon will be presented as a five-seater. motoring.com.au sources also suggest the GT will feature more "performance-focussed" suspension settings.

The five-door is also believed to be slated to debut higher-output Turbo S versions of the new car's twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8. Currently rated at 404kW and 770Nm, the engine is likely to be revised to produce around 440kW and perhaps as much as 830Nm in Turbo S trim.

No news on the 'coupe' or convertible Panamera-based GTs that some quarters are positing. An ultra-long wheelbase Panamera – think 150mm stretch on the already longer new car – has been confirmed. Expect that car to debut at one of the Chinese shows in 2017.

Three engines are currently offered in the Panamera lift-back, the abovementioned Turbo's twin-turbo petrol V8, a 324kW twin-turbo petrol V6 and the Audi-sourced 310kW and 850Nm sequential twin-turbo diesel V8.

As the GT approaches and, eventually, the new generation Cayenne arrives, Porsche insiders say a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 will be added to the line-up, as well as plug-in hybrid variants. A lower-output turbo-petrol V6 could also be offered in a cheaper rear-drive variant and perhaps even Chinese market LWB models.

One thing that remains off the menu for now, however, is a four-cylinder Panamera or Cayenne. This is despite the success of similar powertrains in Mercedes-Benz luxury sedan variants and both Benz and BMW SUVs.

"I can see that a four-cylinder coupled with hybrid could work – it could be attractive. But we have no plans – now or in the future," our insider stated.