With hybrid supercars, racing classics, and laser precise sports cars under its stable, the Porsche Panamera probably isn’t your favorite vehicle to come out of Stuttgart.
It’s not the prettiest car in the world, and its emphasis on luxury and practicality were a bit off-putting to the purist crowd, who routinely scoff at anything without ‘911’ written across the back.
That said, the sedan is a joy to drive, more usable than a Carrera, is comfortable and lush inside. A second generation, due in 2016, looks to make it even better.
Speaking to Auto Express at the 2014 LA Auto Show, Porsche’s head of Research and Development Wolfgang Hatz said that several new versions of the Panamera could debut with the car’s second wave.
“First of all, we are developing at the moment a new Panamera, that is true, you’ve probably already seen [pictures] of the first prototypes,” he said. “We have prepared it for a lot of derivatives, personally I like very much the Sport Turismo.”
The Sport Turismo wagon (above) was originally unveiled at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, and featured an estate/wagon-like layout. The Sport Turismo also equipped the brand’s ‘e-Hybrid’ system, which used a 333-horsepower supercharged V6 and a 95-hp electric motor together to propel the car to 60 mph in less than 6.0 seconds.
Second-gen Panamera’s will ride on Porsche’s new Modular Standard (MSB) platform, so many of these specifications will undoubtedly change if the car does eventually show up in showrooms.
The MSB layout will allow the Panamera to drop close to 200 pounds for its second generation, and also give the manufacturer opportunities for more derivatives.
“The reason we have done this [new platform] is so all things are already included, could be coupe, could be convertible, could be Sport Turismo and now we have to decide which is the one that hits our needs,” Hatz continued. “Convertible? For me we already have so many good convertibles with the Boxter and 911, is it something we really need? It’s something more for the luxury segment.”
