With Porsche hard at work developing the next generation Panamera, the German firm has quietly unveiled an all new bi-turbo V8 at the annual Vienna Motor Symposium in Austria.
Expected to be used in the aforementioned Panamera as well as the next generation Cayenne, the new engine is loosely based off of the Audi S4’s 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 and also shares some of that engine’s basic components. Porsche did not reveal the engine’s formal displacement, but look for it to be a step up from the current 4.8 liter V8.
The company did however, claim that the engine will come with an all new cylinder deactivation system that incorporates a “half engine mode.” The novel piece of software is designed to be activated at “low loads between 950 and 3500” RPMs and slashes overall fuel consumption by 30 percent.
In addition to the all new mode, the engine is also highly flexible with key components being designed to support multiple applications. These include Stop/Start technology as well as hybrid applications to help Porsche expand its range of hybrid vehicles. Porsche engineers even went the extra mile, and made sure that the engine could work on both Audi’s MLB front wheel drive platform, as well as Porsche’s MSB rear wheel drive layout. Depending on what it is used in, the new engine will be hooked up to two different transmissions either an eight speed automatic or an eight speed dual clutch unit.
When the power plant eventually makes its debut in the next generation Panamera, look for it to make significantly more power than the outgoing 4.8 liter with initial estimates pegging it at 547 horsepower and a stout 567 lb-ft of torque. Despite this newfound power, Porsche claims that the engine will have “significantly reduced CO2 emissions” which will help it comply with stricter emissions standards.
2016 Porsche Panamera GTS
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.