Porsche teases all-new Panamera

Porsche has begun the build-up to the reveal of its all-new four-door Panamera ahead of its official launch later this year.

Releasing a short ad-style film and publishing a single image of its more rakish rear-end, Porsche has hinted its Mercedes-Benz CLS rival will draw heavily from the recently launched 718 Boxster, by also wearing a nose with a large centrally mounted air-dam flanked by two intakes.

Appearing far sleeker than the car it replaces in the teaser images released last night, the fast four-door can also be seen in a raft of official images of Panamera mules carrying out final shakedown tests in South Africa.

What we know so far is the all-new Porsche sedan will be based on the Volkswagen Group's MSB (modular standard platform) architecture that will also underpin the next-generation Bentley Continental and Flying Spur.

All engines will be new to the Panamera, with both a new petrol V6 and V8 likely to be shared with Bentley.

A newly developed V6 diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrain have also been engineered specifically for the big Porsche.

All will come with a heavily revised version of the firm's PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. Some outlets are also reporting that a manual gearbox might also live on in some markets.

The full engine range, meanwhile, is expected to be turbocharged to reduce emissions, improve fuel consumption and boost power.

Lighter, stiffer and stronger, the new platform architecture also allows the engines to sit lower and further back in the engine bay, while weight-saving knowhow from the most most recent 911 (991 series) -- including the use of aluminium, magnesium and composites -- will also see kerb weights slashed by up to 100kg over the outgoing model.

Inside, passengers will benefit from a longer wheelbase liberating more legroom. The infotainment system, meanwhile, is set to be improved by adopting an Audi-style 'virtual cockpit' instrument display and a huge new centrally-mounted infotainment system.

Some are predicting that, for the first time, the Panamera might be joined by a coupe and convertible based on the sedan.

This is because the high costs of developing all-new two-door and drop-top models will have already been shared with Bentley since the next Continental GT and GT Convertible share the same platform.

After the MkII Panamera's European launch in coming months, a Shooting Brake wagon version will also arrive and it's already been spotted testing.