
· 64 ·· 65 ·
Performance | Chassis
Suspension.
The front axle has a wide-spaced
aluminium double wishbone
arrangement with an aluminium subframe. The wide spacing
bet ween the wishbones keeps the
forces in the wheel suspension
low for precision wheel guidance
and excellent handling. The rear axle is an aluminium
multi-link setup. This axle design
minimises the pitching of the body
under acceleration and braking.
The high proportion of aluminium
used in the construction of the
axles reduces the weight of
the vehicle and of the unsprung
masses, helping to improve fuel
economy and increase agilit y.
Steering and Servotronic.
Precise and direct: describes a
t ypical Porsche steering system
–
with variable steering ratio.
Around the straight ahead position,
such as during motorway driving,
the ratio is less direct with no loss
of agilit y or feedback from the
road. When the steering wheel is
turned further, the ratio becomes
more direct, allowing easier cor -
nering and parking.
Servotronic, a speed-sensitive
power-steering system, is available
as an option for all Panamera
models. At high speeds, the steer -
ing is firm and responds with
extreme precision while steering comfort remains as high as you
would expect. At low speeds,
Servotronic’s ratio adjusts for
easy manoeuvring and parking.
Wheels and Tyre Pressure
Monitoring (TPM).
The new Panamera and Panamera 4
models are fit ted as standard with
18-inch Panamera wheels, the
Panamera S and 4S with 18-inch
Panamera S wheels. All wheels
are light weight alloys featuring a
classic sport y design. Tyre sizes
245/50 ZR 18 and 275/45 ZR 18
are fit ted to the front and rear,
respectively. The Panamera Turbo is equipped
with 19 -inch Panamera Turbo alloy
wheels as standard. The t yres
are slightly wider to cope with the
increased power output of this
model: 255/45 ZR 19 at the front,
285/40 ZR 19 at the rear.
A selection of 18-inch to 20 -inch
wheels is available from our range
of options (p. 147).
19-inch all-season t yres are
offered as an alternative at no
extra cost for all Panamera
models with standard or optional
19-inch wheels. A low-rolling
resistance version of these t yres
is available as an option*. The
three
main components of the
Panamera Turbo front axle
Panamera Turbo rear axle 19 - inch Panamera Turbo wheel
18 - inch Panamera S wheel
18 - inch Panamera wheel
t yre – the rubber compound, the
tread pat tern and the architec -
ture of the t yre substructure –
have been optimised to minimise
roll resistance and thus improve
fuel economy, with no ef fect on
comfort or performance compared
with the regular 19 -inch all-season
t yres.
For increased comfort and safet y,
Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM)
sends warnings to the on -board
computer’s display screen in
the event of low t yre pressure as
well as in the event of a loss of
pressure. The system is available
as an option for the Panamera
and Panamera 4 and is standard
in all other models.
* Available from 10/2010 at the earliest.

· 68 ·· 69 ·
Adaptive air suspension.
The Panamera Turbo is equipped
with adaptive air suspension and
PASM as standard. This combined
system enhances both driving
dynamics and comfort at the
same time. For all other Panamera
models, adaptive air suspension
is available as an option. It comprises a levelling system,
a manual lif t function, ride-height
adjustment capabilit y and the
abilit y to vary the spring rate.
The purpose of the levelling
system is to automatically keep
the vehicle level constant,
re
gardless of load distribution.
For manoeuvring, the manual
lif t function enables you to raise
the vehicle body by 20 mm to minimise the risk of grounding,
e.
g. when entering garages.*
When you select the ‘SPORT
PLUS’ chassis programme, the
height of the body automatically
drops to Low Level (–25 mm). At
the same time, a harder spring
rating is achieved through a
reduction in the amount of air
stored in the air suspension.
In simple terms, it ’s a sports
chassis at the push of a but ton.
High Level.
At 20 mm above Normal Level,
this is intended for driving over
ramps and into garage entrances.
The chassis automatically reverts
to Normal Level as soon as
the vehicle reaches a speed of
18 mph (30 km/ h).
Normal Level.
The usual height for the system
with a maximum ground clearance
of 144 mm above DIN unladen
weight.
Low Level.
This is 25 mm below Normal
Level with a maximum ground
clearance of 119 mm. In ‘SPORT
PLUS’ mode, the vehicle body
drops to Low Level and a harder
spring rate is set. This assures
optimum roadholding with a
sport y driving st yle.
Performance | Chassis
* The vehicle must not be driven at High
Level on public roads as the maximum
permissible installation height of the
reflector units may then be exceeded.

· 86 ·· 87 ·
Balance | Safet y
On request, we can equip any
Panamera model in the range with
a braking system that has already
had to cope with the harshest
requirements of the racetrack: the
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). For the Panamera
and Panamera S models, it is
available only in conjunction with
19 -inch wheels or larger and for
the Panamera Turbo, it is com
-
patible only with 20 -inch wheels.
On the Panamera and
Panamera S models, the cross-
drilled ceramic brake discs have
a diameter of 390 mm at the
front and 350 mm at the rear. To
cope with more powerful brak -
ing on the Panamera Turbo,
these discs are 410 mm at the
front and 350 mm at the rear.
PCCB is characterised by its low
thermal expansion, which pre -
vents deformation under heav y
braking. Furthermore, the
ceramic brake discs are totally
resistant to corrosion and offer
more favourable noise- damping
properties. The use of six-piston aluminium
monobloc brake calipers on the
front axle and four-piston units at
the rear – all finished in yellow
– ensures extremely high brake
forces which, crucially, are excep
-
tionally consistent. The pedal
response is fast and precise with
only moderate input required.
All the necessary ingredients are
there for a short braking distance,
even in the toughest conditions.
Moreover, safet y under braking at
high speeds is increased thanks
to the excellent fade resistance of
PCCB.
The key advantage of PCCB is
the extremely low weight of the
ceramic brake discs, which are
approximately 50 % lighter than
standard discs of similar design
and size. As well as enhancing
performance and fuel economy, this represents a major reduction
in unsprung and rotating masses.
The consequence of this is bet ter
road holding and increased com
-
fort, particularly on uneven roads,
as well as greater agilit y and
improved handling. Please note that circuit racing,
track day use and other forms of
performance driving can signifi
-
cantly reduce the service life of
even the most durable brake pads
and discs.
As with conventional high-
performance braking systems,
we recommend that all brake
components be professionally
inspected and replaced where
necessary after every track
event.
PCCB
Presumably, you won’t be using your Panamera for motorsport activities.
But you never know.
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB).

· 88 ·· 89 ·
of impact and minimise deforma-
tion of the passenger cell. Pas -
sive safet y is
further enhanced
by the aluminium
subframe on
the front axle, which is designed
to deform in a defined manner.
A rigid bulkhead cross member
reduces deformation of the foot -
well in the event of an impact
and provides improved protection
for the feet and legs. In a minor
collision, a system of easily
replaceable impact absorbers
prevents costly damage to the
underlying bodyshell.
The axles, bonnet, front wings,
doors and rear lid are made of
aluminium, which saves on weight
and therefore fuel.
Active bonnet system.
The active bonnet system is
designed with enhanced pedes-
trian safet y in mind. When the
sensors in the front apron detect
a collision, this pyrotechnically
assisted system raises the rear
portion of the bonnet, which can
help to reduce the risk of injury.
The ongoing development of the
light weight steel construction
used in Porsche vehicles makes a
key contribution to the level of
safet y of fered by the Panamera
model range. Indeed, the rigidit y
of the body work is exemplary.
The fully galvanised and light
-
weight hybrid construction, made
from super- high -tensile and
stainless steels, magnesium and
aluminium, produces a highly
resilient passenger cell that of fers
high levels of protection in the
event of an impact. A patented
system of longitudinal and trans -
verse members at the front gives
three separate load paths that
absorb energy, disperse the force
Magnesium
Aluminium
Deep-drawn steels
Super- high -streng th micro -alloyed steels
Polyphase steels
Boron-alloyed steels
Balance | Safet y
It sometimes pays to be a tough nut to crack.
Engineered safety design.
Active bonnet system

· 92 ·· 93 ·
concerned, we are already among
those manufacturers achieving
the lowest CO2 em issio ns. T h is
has been achieved through the
new ef ficient engine technology
(e.g. by DFI and VarioCam Plus),
light weight construction, optimum
aerodynamics and low rolling
resistance. This high level of environmental
responsibilit y is clearly demon
-
strated by our approach to envi -
ronmental management at the
Porsche Development Centre in
Weissach. Here, all technological
developments are carried out
with environmental protection in
mind. The goal is pure perform -
ance – but not at the expense of
the environment. A goal achieved
by the Panamera.
Fuel economy and emission
control.
Vehicles manufactured by Porsche
demonstrate that even high-
performance sportscars can
achieve moderate fuel consump -
tion and
exhaust emission values
in their
respective categor y.
The balance is exemplary: the
Panamera, Panamera 4 and
Panamera Turbo comply with the
Euro 5 emission standard in
Europe and the LEV regulations in
the USA, the Panamera S and
Panamera 4S meet the require -
ments of EU 5 and ULEV.
This is achieved through the use
of fuel- ef ficient technologies such
as direct fuel injection (DFI, p. 51)
and VarioCam Plus (p. 52).
Efficient emission control is
achieved by a t wo -stage cascade-
t ype cataly tic converter, which
comprises t wo monoliths arranged
in series. These specially coated
substrates contain ultra-fine honey -
comb
channels in which pollutants
are converted as exhaust gas
passes through.
The stereo Lambda control circuitr y
controls and monitors each cylin -
der bank separately. For each
exhaust tract, oxygen sensors
regulate the composition of the
exhaust gas, while another Lambda
s
ensor on each cylinder bank
monitors pollutant conversion in
the respective cataly tic converter.**
Environmental protection.
In an era of intensif ying debate
about global climate change and
CO
2 emissions, every automotive manufacturer is asking what it has
to of fer in terms of environmental
protection. Our answer has long
been the same: maximum effi
-
ciency. Porsche has been reducing the
CO
2 emissions of its vehicles
by an average of around 1.7 %*
every year for the past 15 years.
As far as engine output is
As a Panamera driver, you are responsible for four people.
We are responsible for everyone else.
Porsche and the environment.
Balance | Environment
* The stated reduction in fuel consumption
has been calculated from the NEDC (New
European Drive Cycle) fuel consumption
figures for the respective model years
of the vehicles and in relation to the
applicable European legislation.
** Not in markets with leaded fuel.

· 94 ·· 95 ·
In models with the V8 engine,
exhaust gas cleaning is supported
by an air injection system. A com-
pressor pumps extra air into the
exhaust tract during the cataly tic
converter warm-up phase for
faster heating and, therefore,
lower emissions.
Other measures for improving fuel
economy are the Auto start/stop
function (p. 50) and electrical
system recuperation, whereby the
vehicle bat tery is charged pre-
dominantly under braking. Under
acceleration, on the other hand,
the charging current of the regu -
lated alternator is reduced so that
the engine does not need to work
as hard to charge the bat tery.
Lightweight construction and
recycling.
A fundamental objective in the
development of any Porsche is
intelligent lightweight construction.
For both economical and ecologi -
cal reasons. This forms the basis
for low fuel consumption values in conjunction with outstanding
performance. It is economical
thanks to the high proportion of
aluminium cast alloys, plastics
and super-high-strength sheet
steel used. This is substantially
more stable and lighter than
conventional steel. The Panamera
models have a bodyshell with a
light weight-metal content of 23 %.
For example, the bonnet, doors,
front wings and rear lid are made
of aluminium, which saves on
weight and has a positive ef fect
on the environmental balance:
according to eco balance sheets,
the extra energy used and the
higher emissions incurred in the
manufacturing of aluminium
are more than compensated by
the savings on fuel af ter only a
relatively short distance.
It is also responsible because all
materials used are meticulously
selected. We use only innovative
and environmentally friendly com -
ponents. All light weight materials
are easily recyclable and each
material is labelled to facilitate its
separation for recycling. The reduction in the number of plastic
variants helps to ensure more
efficient recycling. Recycled plas
-
tics are used where they meet our
exacting technical requirements
In all, the Panamera is approxi -
mately 95 % recyclable.
In addition, Porsche uses only
environmentally friendly water-
based paints, thus reducing
the need for solvents both in pro -
duction and in the workshop.
The Panamera is also absolutely
free of asbestos, CFCs and
components manufactured using
CFCs because, here at Porsche,
environmental protection does
not begin at the end of a vehicle’s
life. It starts at the planning and
development stage.
Balance | Environment

· 96 ·· 97 ·
Balance | Environment
Fuel.
All Porsche models – including the
Panamera – are already designed
to operate on fuels with an ethanol
content of up to 10 %. Ethanol
has a positive impact on the CO
2 balance since the plants grown
for the production of this biofuel
also absorb CO
2 from the atmo
-
sphere.
The release of hydrocarbons
from the fuel system has been
minimised thanks in no small part
to the active carbon filter and the
multilayered material from which
the fuel tank is made. All fuel lines
are made from multilayered plastic,
steel or aluminium.
Noise.
The Panamera complies with
all applicable noise regulations
without any form of engine en -
capsulation. To achieve this,
noises are eliminated at source. Engine parts are stif f, moving
parts are light weight and toler-
ances are kept to a minimum.
No nuisance noise to be heard,
just the characteristic Porsche
sound.
Servicing.
Long service intervals are not
only more convenient, they
reduce ownership costs. They
also promote a more sparing
use of consumables and replace -
ment parts, which is in both our
interests. For you, lower costs
and saved time are t wo major
benefits, but perhaps the greatest
benefit is for the environment.
For full details of service intervals,
please refer to the separate price
list.

· 116 ·· 117 ·
Personality | Comfort
The sound developed by our
research centre in Weissach is
amplified by a sound from Berlin.
We’re talking about Burmester
®,
a bespoke manufacturer based
in Berlin and one of the most re -
spected premium audio manufac -
turers worldwide. The Burmester
®
High - End Surround Sound System
is available as an option for all
Panamera models.
The technologies behind the
system are from the finest of
Burmester’s® premium home audio systems. State- of-the-art
and featured like this in a Porsche
for the first time. The extravagance
is uncompromising, the craf ts-
manship excellent, the sound
phenomenal. The system owes its
eminence to countless details,
and one goal: perfection in sound.
As early as the Panamera concept
phase, Porsche and Burmester
®
had already embarked on a close
collaboration in order to determine
the optimum installation locations
for the special loudspeakers.
Never before has such a large and
acoustically powerful total dia -
phragm surface area been used in
a production vehicle and integrated
to such perfection.
The system has 16 amplifier chan -
nels with a total output of more
than 1,000 wat ts, 16 loudspeakers
including an active subwoofer
with 300 -wat t class D amplifier,
a total diaphragm surface area of
more than 2,400 cm², and a
frequency response of 30 Hz to
20 kHz.
Conceptually, we have broken
en tire ly new ground. Typically
Porsche. Crossover technology
has been carried over more or
less unmodified from the home
audio sector. Analogue and digital
filters have been optimally defined
for their new installation location
and finely tuned af ter extensive
in-car audio testing.
The t weeters are ribbon -based
air motion transformers (AMT) that have been designed specifically
for the Panamera. For unmistak
-
ably fine, clear and undistorted
high-frequency sound reproduction
with excellent level stabilit y.
All loudspeaker housings are
perfectly matched and deliver
superior bass foundation, defini -
tion and impulse accuracy. As
yet unequalled, the result is a nat -ural and richly textured spatial
sound. All of which is achieved,
despite the system’s remarkably
low overall weight, thanks to
intelligent Burmester® light weight
technology.
The elegantly pure design with
galvanised surrounds and
Burmester® logos on selected loudspeakers make it clear that
the appeal of the Burmester
®
High - End Surround Sound System
is as much about the visual as it
is the audio.
‘Made in Germany’ is a sign of quality.
But, not just when it comes to sportscars.
The Burmester
® High-End Surround Sound System.