Porsche Panamera Turbo S: 420kW flagship sedan here in February

Priced from $443,600 – up $3400 on the 2012 model – the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S now puts out 420kW of power at 6000rpm for an increase of 15kW.

Torque figures remain at 750Nm (and 800Nm on overboost), though the two are now available for 500rpm longer, between 2250-5000rpm and 2500-4500rpm respectively.

The range-topping Panamera Turbo S carries over its predecessor’s twin-turbocharged 4.8-litre V8, though it has been refined with new turbochargers, with larger compressors, along with uprated injectors, pistons and piston rings.

Apart from improving the luxury performance sedan’s top speed by 4km/h to 310km/h, the Turbo S now matches the Turbo model’s efficiency figures of 10.2L/100km and 239g/km – down from 11.5L/100km and 270g/km.

Again teamed to a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission, Porsche Cars Australia states the all-wheel-drive Turbo S’s 0-100km/h is unchanged at a claimed 3.8 seconds.

With a different front bumper to the facelifted 2013 Porsche Panamera first seen in April, the new Turbo S also, in one image (top), is shown with an optional full LED headlight system rather than the standard bi-xenon units. At the rear, the Turbo S’s LED tail-lights and smoother rear bumper match the facelifted models’, and its quad-pipes have been cleaned up.

An exclusive new Palladium metallic exterior paint finish joins a larger Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) package that now comes as standard. Comprising 420mm front discs (up from 410mm) and 350mm rear, clamped by yellow brake calipers, they sit below the previous model’s 20-inch 911 Turbo II wheels.

Also standard are the Sport Chrono package, speed-sensitive power steering, three-mode – Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus – Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) adaptive damper control system, adaptive air suspension and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC).

Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), which works via an electronically controlled rear differential to split torque between the rear wheels, also partners with Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and launch control to ensure a blend of safety and performance.

Not pictured, Porsche says the four-seat cabin features two-tone leather “furnishings” as standard, hints of red and a new Dark Burl Walnut interior colour. Standard front seats remain 14-way power adjustable units with memory and ventilation functions with rear-seat ventilation also standard. Optional 18-way sport seats are also available with Alcantara side bolsters.

The new Porsche Panamera Turbo S will take to the stage in Tokyo when the show begins on November 20.