The Porsche Panamera Turbo is the fast V8 Panamera that sits just below the Turbo S. The first two generations were gas only, and the 2017 car made 550 hp. Since 2024 it has been a plug-in hybrid, the Turbo E-Hybrid, with 670 hp.
In this article, we’ll explain the Porsche Panamera Turbo, Porsche’s fast four-door from its first V8 to today’s hybrid. We’ll cover each generation, the Turbo vs Turbo S question, and what to check before buying.
Contents
Quick Summary
- What it is: the fast V8 Panamera, one step below the Turbo S.
- First generation (970): a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 and a seven-speed PDK.
- Second generation (971): a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 550 hp and an eight-speed PDK.
- 2021 facelift: the Turbo was replaced by a 620 hp Turbo S.
- Current car (972): the Turbo E-Hybrid, with 670 hp combined.
- Buying tip: check the full model name and VIN, because the badge alone can mislead.
What Turbo Means on a Panamera
On a Panamera, “Turbo” means the fast V8 model. It has always come with all-wheel drive, air suspension, and bigger brakes than the V6 cars. Only the Turbo S sits above it.
The catch is that the name has changed over time. The current car is the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, and it plugs in. For the whole range, see our Porsche Panamera guide. For the lighter, sharper V8 car, see our Panamera GTS guide.
The First Panamera Turbo
The Panamera made its world premiere in Shanghai in April 2009. The Turbo was the top model at launch. It used a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8, a seven-speed PDK gearbox, and all-wheel drive.
Porsche also gave it an adaptive air suspension and a rear spoiler that split and widened at speed. It was a big, heavy car, but it was fast. Power went up a little with the 2013 facelift, which also brought the long-wheelbase Executive.
As the oldest Turbo, the 970 is also the one most likely to need big repairs. The V8, turbos, PDK, and air suspension can all need expensive work on an older car.
The 971 Panamera Turbo
The second-generation Panamera arrived for 2017 with a lower roofline and a digital cabin. The Turbo got a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with the turbos mounted inside the V. It made 550 hp and 567 lb-ft, 30 hp more than the car it replaced.
Porsche quoted 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, or 3.4 seconds with Sport Chrono, and a 190 mph top track speed. An eight-speed PDK and three-chamber air suspension came standard.
The 971 also gave buyers the widest choice of bodies. You could get the regular hatchback, the long-wheelbase Executive, or the Sport Turismo, which has a longer roof and a wagon-style tailgate.
The 2021 Switch to Turbo S
For the 2021 facelift, Porsche dropped the regular Turbo. A new 620 hp gas Turbo S took its place.
Keep this in mind when you shop. A late 971 with the most powerful gas V8 is a Turbo S, not a Turbo. If you want the 550 hp Turbo, look at 2017 to 2020 cars.
The Turbo E-Hybrid
The third-generation Panamera, called the 972, arrived for 2024. Its Turbo is now a plug-in hybrid. Porsche pairs a reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with a 187 hp electric motor built into the eight-speed PDK.
Total system output is 670 hp and 685 lb-ft. Porsche quotes 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and a 195 mph top track speed. A 25.9 kWh battery lets it drive short trips on electric power alone.
Adaptive air suspension is standard. Porsche Active Ride, which keeps the body flat in corners and under braking, is an option. There is no Sport Turismo this time, so a Turbo wagon has to be a used 971.
Specs Side by Side
Here are Porsche’s US launch figures for the two modern Turbos.
| Version | Engine | Power and torque | 0 to 60 mph | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 971 Panamera Turbo (2017) | 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 | 550 hp, 567 lb-ft | 3.4 seconds, with Sport Chrono | 190 mph |
| 972 Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid (2024) | 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 plus electric motor | 670 hp, 685 lb-ft | 3.0 seconds | 195 mph |
The hybrid is quicker, but it also carries a big battery. The 971 is the simpler car to own if you can’t charge at home.
Which One to Buy
Pick the 970 if you want the original shape and the big 4.8-liter V8, and you have a budget for repairs.
Pick the 971 if you want a modern gas V8 with no charging. It’s also the only Turbo you can get as a Sport Turismo.
Pick the Turbo E-Hybrid if you can charge at home and want the most speed, the newest cabin, and a warranty. A clean, well-kept 971 can still be a better buy than a tired car of any generation.
Buying a Used Panamera Turbo
Start with the paperwork
Run the VIN and get the factory option list. That confirms the year, the body, and whether the car is a Turbo, a Turbo S, or an E-Hybrid. Our Porsche VIN decoder guide shows how. In the US, check open recalls on the NHTSA recall lookup.
What a specialist should check
Ask for dated service invoices and have a Porsche specialist scan every control module. Start the car cold and listen for turbo noise, rough idle, or smoke. On the road, check that the PDK shifts cleanly and that the air suspension holds its height after the car sits overnight.
On a Turbo E-Hybrid, test the charging and ask for a battery health report. Don’t judge the battery by the range on the dash, since weather and driving change it a lot. For running costs, see our Porsche maintenance costs guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Porsche Panamera Turbo a hybrid?
The current one is. The third-generation car, sold since 2024, is the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, with a twin-turbo V8, an electric motor, and a 25.9 kWh battery. Earlier Panamera Turbos were gas only.
How much horsepower does the Panamera Turbo have?
It depends on the generation. The 2017 Turbo made 550 hp. The current Turbo E-Hybrid makes 670 hp combined in US spec.
How fast is the Panamera Turbo?
Porsche quotes 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and a 195 mph top track speed for the current Turbo E-Hybrid. The 2017 Turbo did it in 3.4 seconds with Sport Chrono.
Why is there no 2021 Panamera Turbo?
For the 2021 facelift, Porsche replaced the 550 hp Turbo with a 620 hp gas Turbo S. So a late second-generation car with the top V8 is a Turbo S, not a Turbo.
Which Panamera Turbo should I buy?
Buy a 971 if you want a modern gas V8 with no charging. Buy the current Turbo E-Hybrid if you can charge at home and want the most speed. Either way, check the VIN and service records first.
Images: Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, Stuttgart by Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0. 970 Panamera Turbo, Platinum Silver by Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0. 970 Panamera Turbo, rear by M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE. 970 Panamera Turbo interior by M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE. 971 Panamera Turbo, Washington DC by OWS Photography, CC BY 4.0. 971 Turbo Sport Turismo by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0. Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, rear by Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
