A few weeks ago, the CarBuzz spy photographers captured the facelifted Porsche Panamera in what appeared to be GTS trim. Now they’ve snapped the entry-level Panamera, showing off smaller wheels, simpler fascias, and a more basic vehicle overall.
The prototype, captured in a place so secret we’ve had to hide the background, was caught without any camouflage we could see.
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
At Porsche, more suffixes means more power. The standard Panamera, without even an S after its badge, sits at the bottom. That means a cleaner shape, too, which is on display in this set of photos.
Unlike the GTS, this car has sleeker front and rear bumpers. The overall designs are similar, but the details reflect the differences. At the back, the standard car doesn’t have the jutting outside vents. It also has a wide, flat diffuser trim section instead of the multiple ribs of the GTS, though both get four round exhaust pipes that seem identical.
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
Around the front, the standard car’s bumper blades blend sleekly into the license plate mount, while on the GTS they take a sharp turn upward like a hockey stick. In a flip of what Porsche has done at the rear, the standard car’s front grille has a more intricate lattice than the GTS. The better to flow more air into the faster car.
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
Look closely, and you can see some of the mechanical differences between the two cars. The brakes on the standard car are smaller, though Porsche will still offer red paint. The wheels are also smaller, with what look like 19s instead of 21s.
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
The wheels wear different tires, too, with max-performance Continental SportContact 7s on the GTS and Hankook Ventus S1 Evo Z tires on the standard car. Curiously, Hankook has already announced it will supply tires for all Panamera variants, so that may not be a difference in production. Porsche often uses multiple brands of tire even across the same model, depending on the wheel package.
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
You won’t find big visual differences between standard and GTS, and you won’t find big differences between the facelift and the previous generation. But Porsche doesn’t make big design changes, even between generations.
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
As far as power, it’s a little too early to say for sure. The current Panamera uses a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 348 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. That engine has room to grow, and it makes 503 hp as used in the Audi RS5. Porsche has room between the current car and the GTS, but it may not feel the need to add power just yet.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
2028 Porsche Panamera spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
The Panamera remains an important model for Porsche, with 27,701 sold last year. Keeping it fresh without spending a large sum is key for the German brand, which is struggling with sales and profit margins at the moment and could use a boost. But Porsche has already expressed it wants to sell fewer vehicles at higher prices, which could make this basic Panamera less attractive to the brand. Expect the biggest differences to be reserved for the GTS and Turbo cars that bring in the big bucks.
