Porsche has revealed its second generation Panamera.

The luxury a four-door Gran Tourer has been ‘systematically improved’ says Porsche with redesigned engines and transmissions, while the chassis and suspension has been optimised and the driver display and control interfaces are ‘reinterpreted for the future’.

A new expressive, sporty appearance features long, dynamic proportions, pronounced shoulders, athletic flanks and a ‘fastback’ rearward sloping roof line that is 20 mm lower at the rear. This creates a stylistic link to the Porsche 911. Although being slightly increased in height, the four-door car appears much lower and longer, due primarily to the reduced height above the rear of the passenger compartment. The front wheels were shifted further forward, reducing the front overhang and making what Porsche calls the ‘prestige dimension’ – the distance between the A-pillar and the front axle – even larger. The rear overhang is longer, giving the car a ‘more powerful appearance’.

On the inside black panel surfaces and interactive displays combine a clear and intuitive user interface - similar to that of smartphones and tablets - with the practical requirements for controlling the car. The number of traditional hard keys and conventional instrument dials have been replaced by touch-sensitive panels and individually configurable displays.

Porsche says its new Panamera offers the best versatility of any model in the luxury car category, with a 40:20:40 split of the folding rear bench backrests (495 to 1,304 litres of luggage capacity). Raising the comfort experience of the Panamera to a new level are new equipment options such as the panoramic tilt roof, massage seats, ambient lighting and a 3D high-end sound system from Burmester.

Each engine has been made more powerful, while ‘significantly’ improving fuel economy and reducing emissions. Three new bi-turbo direct injection engines are being introduced at market launch in the Panamera Turbo, the Panamera 4S and the Panamera 4S Diesel. Each of these – and for the first time including the diesel – can be specified with a permanent all-wheel drive system and a new eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK). The diesel unit has a top speed of 177 mph, achieving the 0-62 mph benchmark in 4.5 seconds (4.3 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package) while returning a combined fuel consumption of 41.5 – 42.1 mpg (178 – 176 g/km CO2).

A V8 petrol engine develops 550 hp (at 5,750 rpm) and a maximum torque of 770 Nm (between 1,960 and 4,500 rpm). It has 30 hp more power than the previous model, and accelerates to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds; with the Sport Chrono Package the sprint time is 3.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 190 mph.

A 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo engine of the Panamera 4S develops a maximum power of 440 hp - 20 hp more than the previous model. The Panamera 4S can reach 62 mph in 4.4 seconds (4.2 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package) with top speed of 180 mph. The NEDC Combined fuel consumption comes in at 34.4 – 34.8 mpg.

The chassis combines ‘cruising comfort' of a luxury saloon with the performance of a sports car, according to Porsche, with its adaptive air suspension with new three-chamber technology including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM electronic damper control), an enhanced Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) system including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and active body roll stabilisation, as well as a new electro-mechanical steering system.

The new body side – like the bonnet, boot, roof and wheel arches – is made entirely of aluminium. The side profile accentuates the silhouette of a sports car. At the rear, the roof line becomes the charismatic Porsche ‘flyline’ – the distinctive lines that of the brand’s coupés. Two edges on the lateral roof line visually lower the silhouette’s centre of gravity. The look of the side windows has also been redesigned with a ‘stylistic affinity’ to the Porsche 911 while the flared wheel arches provide space for the 19-inch (4S/4S Diesel), 20-inch (Turbo) and optional 21-inch alloy wheels.

Integrated into the boot (which features electric opening and closing as standard) is the extendible rear spoiler that is now finished in body colour. On the Panamera Turbo, the wing also splits as it extends, thereby gaining additional surface area. At the lower rear is a diffuser into which the dual stainless steel tailpipes of the exhaust system are integrated. The Panamera 4S and 4S Diesel can be recognised by their round tailpipes, while the Panamera Turbo has trapezoidal tailpipe trims.

The new Porsche Panamera is available to order now priced at £88,700 OTR for the 4S, £91,788 OTR for the 4S Diesel and £113,075 OTR for the Panamera Turbo.