Porsche has announced a personalization program for the Panamera, including a 40hp power boost for the Panamera Turbo, called the Panamera Turbo Powerkit.

The Turbo Powerkit fits new turbochargers with titanium aluminum turbines, as well as an updated engine management system to improve engine response. The result is 540 hp (40 more than the standard Turbo) and 553 lb-ft of torque (37 more than standard). However, put it in Sport Plus mode, and it puts out 590 lb-ft of torque, which is 22 lb-ft more than the standard Turbo develops in Sport Plus mode. Sport Plus mode is part of the optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package on the standard model though, while the package is included with the Powerkit.

The result is 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds (With Sport Plus mode on), 0.1 seconds faster than the regular Turbo, and a top speed of 305 kph, as opposed to 303 kph on the standard car. Despite the increase in performance, Porsche claims the Powerkit equipped model consumes no more fuel than the standard Turbo. All this comes at a price however: $21,730. It will be available next month as a Porsche Exclusive option, and as a Porsche Tequipment upgrade in November.

Another part of the personalization program is the Sport Design Package. This include a new, body colour front fascia with widened black air intake grilles, side skirts, and a body colour underbody apron with diffuser and fins. It will be available in October as a Porsche Exclusive option or as a Porsche Tequipment upgrade for $4,590. Porsche will also sell you just the side skirts for $1,390.

The last part of this program is new, 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels. There’s no mention of pricing, but Porsche Exclusive will sell you them in GT silver metallic, black, or in the body colour, while Porsche Tequipment will only offer them in GT silver metallic and black.

Press Release

Porsche Announces New Panamera Personalization Program

Available Porsche upgrades include a Panamera Turbo Powerkit, a Sport Design Package and 20-inch Panamera Sport Wheels

ATLANTA – Aug. 17, 2010 – In September Porsche will begin offering a Panamera Turbo Powerkit that increases engine output to 540 horsepower (standard is 500 horsepower). Other personalization upgrades include a Sport Design Package and the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels for the Panamera Turbo and the other Porsche V6- and V8-powered Panamera models.

The Panamera Turbo Powerkit features two new turbochargers with titanium aluminum turbines, and engine management has been adapted to provide a further improvement in engine response. Maximum torque rises to 750 Nm (compared to 700 Nm in the standard production Panamera Turbo). If in Sport Plus mode, which is included in the Sport Chrono Turbo Package that is part of the Panamera Turbo Powerkit, torque rises to 800 Nm. This is an increase of 30 Nm over the standard Panamera Turbo fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package and in Sport Plus mode.

In Sport Plus mode, the Panamera Turbo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.9 sec – 0.1 sec faster than the production car. Top test track speed is 305 km/h compared with 303 km/h (188 mph) in the standard Panamera Turbo. In line with Porsche Intelligent Performance – more power with less fuel and less emissions – a Panamera Turbo with the Powerkit consumes no more fuel than the 500-horsepower production model. The official EPA fuel economy figures for the Panamera Turbo are 15 mpg city and 23 highway, and like its Panamera siblings the Panamera Turbo is not subject to the gas guzzler tax.

As a Porsche Exclusive option, the Powerkit is available next month for $21,730. Porsche Tequipment will offer the Powerkit as a retrofit upgrade beginning in November 2010.

Porsche also offers its Panamera customers its new Sport Design Package that includes a unique, exterior color painted front fascia with widened black air intake grilles. Other components include separate side skirts and the standard, exterior color rear underbody apron with diffuser and fins. Available in October 2010 as a Porsche Exclusive option or a Porsche Tequipment retrofit upgrade, the Sport Design Package is $4,590. On request, side skirts are available separately for $1,390.

Porsche also now offers the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels. The light alloy multi-spoke wheel is 9.5 inches wide on the front axle and 11.5 inches on the rear axle. They are available from Porsche Exclusive in GT silver metallic, black, or in the exterior car color. They also will be available from Porsche Tequipment in GT silver metallic and black.

The Panamera Turbo Powerkit is only available on the Panamera Turbo. The Sport Design Package and the Panamera Sport Wheels are available on all Porsche Panamera models (Panamera, Panamera 4, Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo). Pricing varies by model.

Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors’ Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com’s Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), inclusion in kbb.com’s list of 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars, Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward’s Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month for January 2010.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche vehicles for the United States. PCNA is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. It employs 213 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 199 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its more than six-decade history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world’s most successful brand in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the highly acclaimed Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-door Panamera Gran Turismos, strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.

Source: Porsche