By SEMA News Editors
Undisguised! The Porsche Panamera Facelift
The redesigned '28 Porsche Panamera is on its way, and the first thing that catches the eye is just how little effort the German manufacturer has gone to in concealing it. Compared with the last sighting of the Panamera during the recent winter testing, the prototype is covered with just a few patches of black adhesive tape here and there and little else, allowing the updated front and rear bumpers to be seen clearly, along with some subtle styling changes.
Porsche has revamped the front end, which now features a cleaner design highlighted by the new horizontal bar within the air intake and slightly different lower brackets. Above, the headlights retain their current shape, but the illuminated Porsche crest has been moved toward the inner corner of the windshield––a detail already spotted on the first test cars caught during winter testing.
The upper section of the windshield has also changed, with a different sensor layout, suggesting more driver-assistance features than ever before. There are no changes to the side profiles, but there are changes to the rear. The bumper has been redesigned and the taillights appear to borrow elements from the new electric Cayenne, with a strip of black tape covering the brand name in the center, just as on that model.
What's more, this model is no ordinary version. It features center-lock forged alloy wheels and four round exhaust tailpipes, suggesting it is one of the sportiest versions in the Panamera range: the GTS.
Inside, the '28 Panamera retains its digital instrument cluster beneath a typical visor, although the mystery centers on the center console, which could conceal the digital controls for the new electric Cayenne, rather than buttons. This will only be possible if Porsche has fitted the same electronic architecture as in the electric SUV, which we won’t know until its unveiling.
If confirmed, it would be yet another casualty of the crusade against the physical button––a trend that’s all the rage in the industry but rather unhelpful when you’re traveling at 124 mph and want to turn up the heating. Incidentally, one of the key features of the new Panamera will be more refined comfort, thanks to the overhaul of one of the most sophisticated suspension systems in the segment, capable of actively controlling the body’s pitch and roll movements.
The Panamera will remain a combustion-engine model, although its six-cylinder and V8 engines will have to incorporate a degree of electrification. The German manufacturer will optimize its plug-in hybrids to the full to comply with Euro 7 regulations, while also offering greater electric range and improving battery charging speeds.
Bearing in mind that the third-generation Panamera was unveiled in late 2023 in Shanghai, and that we are approaching the halfway point of its life cycle, the sports sedan will make its debut in mid-2027, going on sale closer to 2028. With camouflage reduced to a minimum, the unveiling seems imminent, but this phase will drag on for months while final adjustments and quality checks are carried out.
If you’re looking for a revolution, this Panamera won’t deliver it, although it is intended to boost sales in the luxury market and try to offset the Taycan’s poor sales figures. It’s clear that the German brand has opted for refinement rather than taking risks, and the updated Panamera may well prove to be a pleasant surprise.
Dressing Up for the Next Decade: Facelift for the Range Rover
On the market since 2022, the fifth-generation Range Rover, code-named L460, is up for a facelift. Our man at the German Nürburgring racetrack has snapped these shots of the revised model that is likely to debut sometime in 2027 or 2028.
With new electrified gasoline and diesel engines on offer since 2023, the makeover of the Rangie will likely be limited to some minor changes outside––like headlight and taillight signatures and redesigned bumpers front and rear––plus modernized tech features for connectivity, navigation and entertainment.
The Range Rover will continue with ICE power––but also as a pure electric vehicle. Besides, it will also be available with an extended wheelbase––for five or seven passengers.
