Porsche Panamera flagship sets Nurburgring record, hinting hybrid will be faster than Turbo S
An upcoming flagship variant of the new Panamera has lapped the famous German circuit 5.64 seconds faster than its petrol-only predecessor.
A mystery version of the 2024 Porsche Panamera has set a class record around the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife race track in Germany, lapping more than five seconds faster than its Turbo S predecessor.
Porsche has not identified the new variant other than as "the future top model of the Panamera series."
Given it names its predecessor as the Turbo S version of the previous Panamera – and says it is powered by an "electrically supported eight-cylinder combustion engine" – it is likely to be badged Turbo S E-Hybrid, or even Turbo GT E-Hybrid.
It is fitted with trick Active Ride suspension, which requires the extra power from the Panamera's plug-in hybrid system to operate – so the new model is not a mild-hybrid.
The mystery 2024 Panamera lapped the 20.8-kilometre circuit – used by global car makers to develop vehicle dynamics – in seven minutes and 24.17 seconds to take the top spot in the circuit's ‘Executive Cars’ record category by 5.64 seconds.
The Panamera's faster pace around the circuit than its 2020 equivalent follows an 8.7-second gain made by a hybrid version of the car maker’s iconic 911 sports car – compared to its non-hybrid version – at the same track in testing.
Professional driver Lars Kern set the new Panamera’s time, breaking the record he set in July 2020 at the wheel of the previous-model Panamera Turbo S.
That record was broken by the Mercedes-AMG GT63 less than four months later with a seven-minute, 27.80-second lap, but now Kern has put the new Panamera on top by 3.63 seconds.
Porsche said in a statement the record-setting Panamera was fitted with a racing seat and roll-cage – mandated for safety reasons – but was otherwise identical to the showroom version, details of which are yet to be announced.
A number of factory options were fitted including a Carbon Aerokit for better aerodynamic balance, 21-inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and the new Active Ride system.
The Active Ride system – an option on cheaper Panameras in Australia – was the key to the improved lap time over the previous model, according to Porsche.
After six years of development, the Active Ride – also offered on the electric Porsche Taycan – uses an ‘air spring’ designed to reduce pitch and roll for faster cornering and braking stability yet enable a comfortable ride at slower speeds.
The unnamed Panamera will become the flagship variant in the new-generation line-up – the last to use petrol engines – which arrived in Australia earlier this year.
The current range-topper is the all-wheel-drive Turbo E-Hybrid, powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 with a 140kW electric motor and 25.9kWh battery for total outputs of 500kW and 930Nm.
While the power figure is actually 15kW less than the previous Turbo S E-Hybrid, torque is up 60Nm for an identical 3.2-second 0-100km/h claim and electronically limited 315km/h top speed.
2025 MG HS review: Australian first drive
