Porsche reveals the 2017 Panamera and result is pretty

Porsche has unveiled the 2017 Panamera and it's everything we hoped for, and more. The 2017 Porsche Panamera is faster, more cutting-edge and better looking than the outgoing model. When Porsche first revealed the first-gen Panamera in 2009, the world didn't take it too well due to its questionable rear end and bloated body. Even a facelift couldn't save the Panamera from going down as one of the ugliest Porsches to ever grace the tarmac. So when spy-shots of the next-gen Panamera began popping up on the internet, we only wished for one thing from it – not make our eyes bleed.

Design wise, one can see that Porsche concentrated most of its efforts into the rear end. The roof swoops down in a more elegant manner and forms a 911-inspired rear end with similar visor tail lights and a wide stance. Meanwhile, the front end receives Porsche's signature four-point LED DRLs, first seen on the 918 Spyder, and a redesigned grille. On the dimension front, the 2017 Porsche Panamera is 34mm longer, 6mm wider and 5mm taller than the outgoing model. Surprisingly enough, the new Panamera looks like it sits lower than the first-gen Panamera.

The 2017 Porsche Panamera comes with turbocharged V6 and V8 engine options. The turbochargers are mounted centrally in the V of the cylinder banks, resulting in a more compact design and lower centre of gravity. The most powerful engine is found in the Panamera Turbo – a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 550PS and 770Nm of torque (30PS and 70Nm over the outgoing Panamera Turbo). Power is sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed PDK transmission. Porsche claims these numbers are good for a 0-100kmph time of 3.8 seconds (the time drops to 3.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package), with the speedo climbing all the way to 306kmph. To aid fuel economy, the V8 also has active cylinder deactivation at part-loads, turning into a 4-cylinder engine depending on power demand.

Porsche has also reworked the chassis and suspension to make the Panamera a track-capable car that can seat a family of four. The adaptive air suspension is standard on the Turbo, while the optional 4D Chassis Control system ties up all the sub-systems with real-time analysis and optimisation depending on the road conditions. All of this is evident as the 2017 Panamera Turbo is now the fastest four-door luxury car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife with a 7:38 lap time.

Meanwhile, the Panamera 4S is powered by a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 producing 440PS and 550Nm of torque, giving it a 0-100kmph time of 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package) and a top speed of 289kmph. However, the real kicker here is the new Panamera Diesel, which is powered by a new twin-turbocharged V8 producing 422PS and a stonking 850Nm of torque. All of this propels the Panamera Diesel from a standstill to a 100kmph in 4.5 seconds (4.3 seconds with the Sport Chrono Pack).

Bookings for the 2017 Porsche Panamera are now open in Europe with prices starting from EUR 1,13,027 (Rs 84.68 lakh approx) for the 4S, going all the way up to EUR 1,53,011 (Rs 1.15 crore approx). Deliveries commence on November 5, 2016.