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New performance and styling
options available for the
Porsche Panamera...

WITH OVER 23,000 GLOBAL SALES IN JUST 12 MONTHS, the Porsche Panamera has firmly established itself as a unique sports car for four people, combining characteristic sporting styling cues and dynamic performance with day-to-day versatility.

The appeal of the Gran Turismo has widened further with the recently-introduced V6-engined Panamera and Panamera 4 models — powered by a new Porsche-designed 295bhp six-cylinder engine which already accounts for over a quarter of UK sales.

From September, customer choice will expand further when drivers seeking greater output from the Panamera Turbo will be able to specify the new Powerkit, which raises engine output to 532bhp.

Key elements of the Panamera Turbo Powerkit are two new turbochargers with titanium-alloy turbine wheels. The engine management computer has been adapted accordingly and the result is an appreciable further improvement in the engine's responsiveness. Maximum torque rises to 553lb ft (up from 516lb ft). When the Sport Chrono package is combined with the Powerkit, torque increases in the over-boost mode to 590lb ft.

Panamera 4S with Sport Design package and 20-inch Panamera Sport alloy wheels.

Panamera 4S with Sport Design package and 20-inch Panamera Sport alloy wheels.

In Sport Plus mode, the Panamera Turbo with Powerkit accelerates .1 sec faster than the standard car, reaching 62mph from rest in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 190mph compared with 188mph. However, by returning 24.6mpg during the NEDC test cycle, fuel consumption of a Panamera Turbo with Powerkit is the same as that of the 295bhp version — a perfect demonstration of Porsche Intelligent Performance.

As a Porsche Exclusive option, the Powerkit will be available from September 2010 at a price of Ł11,118 including VAT. Porsche Tequipment will launch the Powerkit as a retrofit kit from November.

A Sport Design Package, new 20-inch Panamera Sport alloy wheels and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV) have also been introduced as options for the Panamera.

The Sport Design Package includes a unique, body-coloured nose with wider black air intake grilles, separate side skirts and the standard, body-coloured rear underbody apron with diffuser and fins. Starting from October 2010, the Sport Design Package will be available from Porsche Exclusive for Ł2,516 including VAT, or for retro-fitting from Porsche Tequipment.

Emphasising the sporting appearance and driving dynamics of the Porsche Gran Turismo, the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels bring further choice to the range of available alternative alloy wheels. The light alloy, multi-spoke wheels are 9.5-inches wide on the front and 11.5-inches wide at the rear. Consequently, not only does it have a larger tyre contact area but is also flush with the wheel arch for an even more distinctive look. The wheels are available from Porsche Exclusive in GT silver metallic, black or co-ordinated in body colour from Ł2,247 including VAT (Ł1,058 on Turbo models). The wheels are also available in GT silver metallic and black for retro-fitting from Porsche Tequipment.

Additionally, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles is also available as an option in combination with the Porsche PDK gearbox, priced at Ł277.

Customers seeking to further increase the chassis agility of the V8-engined Panamera models can specify Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) as an option together with Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and a fully controlled rear axle differential lock. Costing Ł3,130, PTV Plus optimises steering behaviour by intervening in the brakes on the inner rear wheel in a bend to generate additional rotational force acting in the same direction as the steering wheel. The result is even more direct and dynamic steering response when cornering — and at the same time PTV Plus, in conjunction with the rear axle differential, improves traction on the rear wheels when accelerating out of a bend.

With its Porsche Exclusive and Porsche Tequipment programmes, Porsche offers the possibility to enhance each Porsche model beyond its standard equipment to fulfil the personal and exclusive wishes of every customer; from the factory through Porsche Exclusive, or in each Porsche Centre via the Tequipment retro-fitting programme.

Demand for 60-reg cars soars —
thanks to savings of up to £6,500
on certain models...

MOTORISTS HAVE TRADITIONALLY HELD ON UNTIL SEPTEMBER to change their car in order to benefit from so-called 'special offers' from dealers. However, with amazing deals such as a 60-reg Ford Fiesta 1.25 Edge 5-door for only Ł8,999 (a price normally associated with the smaller Ford Ka), motorists have chosen to order their vehicles now instead.

Close to Ł500,000 worth of vehicles have already been sold since the start of August and Motorpoint still has an extensive selection of 60-reg models in stock and available to pre-order.

These include the perennially-popular Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec 5-door at Ł10,999 — a saving of Ł5,081 or the new-shape Renault Megane 1.5 DCi Dynamique 5-door (Climate+Park) at Ł12,999 — a saving of Ł6,221.

Says Jon Baird, General Manager of Motorpoint Online: "The level of interest in 60-reg cars has been huge, coinciding with the arrival of exciting new-shape models such as the Renualt Megane, Renault Scenic and the Vauxhall Astra. Our customers clearly recognise a good deal when they see one and aren't waiting until September for them to come along."

For more information check out Motorpoint.

Safe driving through the Summer with
the Medion GoPal navigation system...

LEADING CONSUMER ELECTRONICS vendor Medion has just announced its latest safety-conscious satellite navigation device — the Medion GoPal X4345. Offering a number of safety-enhancing features including GPSPro (which enables the device to continue to navigate even when the GPS signal is lost) and Street Expert which shows important traffic notices such as 'tight turn' and 'slope' as symbols on the display, the GoPal X4345 will ensure a more pleasant and safer journey.

With a 4.7-inch flatscreen display, its generous feature set also includes 44 pre-installed European Navteq maps, voice control and an integrated fingerprint recognition sensor that enables only authorised users to switch the unit on.

The GoPal is available exclusively from medion.com/gb, priced at Ł249 including VAT.

The highlight of the safety-enhancing features offered with the GoPal X4345 is the built-in GPSPro which recognises the vehicle's changes in direction and movement, helping to guarantee reliable navigation even in the event of temporary signal loss, for instance, when driving through a tunnel.

The innovative display technology, user-friendly interface and easily accessible menus make it efficient and simple to use.

Speech control enables users to speak their destination instead of typing it while the text-to-speech ability means drivers get precise instructions, including street names and traffic information.

In addition, the 3D points of interest and landscapes, now integrated for the first time, makes it easier for drivers to get their bearings.

An integrated FM transmitter enables driving instructions or MP3 music to be wirelessly broadcast through the in-car stereo system. The GoPal X4345 also offers the extensive range of standard features expected from a Medion navigation system. Featuring built-in Premium TMC across applicable European countries including the UK, the X4345 keeps drivers informed of the latest traffic information and recalculates plotted routes to avoid hold-ups.

A useful split-screen option gives users the choice of arrow directions plus 2D or 3D navigation and a lane-assistant feature directs drivers to the correct lane providing plenty of time before a manoeuvre.

A speed limit advisor displays the current speed limit to drivers and alerts in good time if they are exceeding it. Speed camera locations are also pre-loaded into the device and drivers can determine exactly where they are thanks to the SiRFInstantFixII GPS link.

The GoPal X4345 has a sophisticated and slim black chrome design. It is not restricted to car use as it also has a cycling and pedestrian mode. Plus it comes with a Berlitz travel guide offering a selection of points of interest in major European destinations, including local amenities such as restaurants, parking places and petrol stations.

Additional features include a photo viewer and Sudoku game.

For security, the device has an integrated fingerprint recognition sensor to stop a potential thief finding stored directions to a home address.

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