Car Throttle

At the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Porsche showed off the new 911, but its big (literally) debut was the Panamera GTS. It sounds really expensive doesn't it? Well it is, but it isn't the top dog in the Panamera lineup. It takes its spot in third place. The most-expensive title goes to the Turbo S, which dings the register at $174,175. Ouch. That makes it $98,000 more expensive than the base model V-6. Next is the Turbo, at $137,675, then the $110,875 GTS. The GTS is the most powerful naturally-aspirated Panamera, generating 430 horsepower (up by 30). Porsche says its a Panamera for driving purists, with stiffer standard air suspension (normally optional), a widened rear track and suspension and brake hardware shared with the

Porsche has big plans for the Panamera. Over the next few years it is expected to be an engine of growth for the brand. Reviews for the car have begun to appear and most of the impressions are good. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the Panamera in person. Will it look any better? Cars almost always do. It's just a question of how much better, since I've never been a big fan of the car's odd styling. We'll see. The Panamera's model line is about to get pretty crowded. At launch there is three models, the standard Panamera S, AWD Panamera 4S and the twin-turbocharged Panamera Turbo. A V6, V6 hybrid, diesel engines and a Turbo S or GTS model are all on the table.