Pictorial - Porsche Panamera facelift vs Porsche Panamera

The 2014 Porsche Panamera has been leaked online by Autocar UK. As we expected looking at loosely camouflaged test mules from Europe earlier, the facelift doesn't change the identity of the car altogether.

[Left - The Panamera facelift gets a new bumper and headlamps; Right - The original perhaps had the most 'haters' that any other Porsche model in history]

There are subtle changes to the front fascia including restyled headlights and a new bumper while changes are again low-key at the rear with reprofiled taillamps and bumper.

[Left - The facelift gets revisions to the seat and door trims while the controls adjacent to the arm rest look to have been overhauled]

The facelift operation is tasked with tidying up the front and rear fascias and the results are indeed convincing.

The major change however is in the form of a new powertrain. Porsche has introduced the 'Panamera S E-Hybrid' version which features a 3-liter V6 engine, an electric motor and lithium ion batteries. The combined output of this powertrain is 410bhp, which gives the Panamera hybrid a 0-100kph acceleration time of 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 269 kph.

[Left - The facelift gets re-detailed tail lights, repositioned registration plate and overall looks less cluttered]

The Panamera hybrid offers a mileage of 32.25 kpl with CO2 emissions of under 100g/km. The electric motor can drive the car to a range of 18-35 km with a top speed of 133 kmph.

[The facelift aims at smoothing the front and rear of the car - Mission accomplished?]

The Panamera S variant will get a new twin-turbo 3-liter V6 engine that makes 413bhp and 521 Nm, an increase of 19bhp and 19Nm. The fuel economy of this variant has improved by nearly 18 percent.

Porsche will unveil the Panamera facelift at the Shanghai Auto Show which begins on the 20th of April.

[Source - Autocar.co.uk]