Due in 2016 or 2017

The second generation Porsche Panamera has been spied for the first time featuring its own body while undergoing testing.

So far we have seen the all-new Panamera as a test mule using the current model's body but now we get a first look at the four-door coupe sporting its new body that adopts an evolutionary design while the headlight & taillight design is hidden under some stickers imitating the current style. The finalized product will likely take some styling cues from the 2012 Panamera Sport Turismo concept but overall the design won't change too much comparing to the current model.

Riding on the MSB platform, the second-gen Porsche Panamera is expected to lose some weight as a result of a more extensive use of high-strength steels and aluminum which could shave as much as 91 kg (200 lbs). Among the engines said to be offered there could be brand V6 and V8 motors developed by Porsche and set to be combined with both RWD and AWD configurations.

Interestingly, there are talks of a two-door derivative featuring a hard or a soft top but it's highly unlikely additional versions will be introduced from day one. The standard Panamera will likely be unveiled in the second half of 2016 as a 2017MY.

Will be fixed with next gen

Porsche CEO Matthias Müller has admitted some mistakes were made during the Panamera's development.

Work is well underway on the second generation Panamera slated to come out in 2016 and Matthias Müller promises the first-gen's problems will be fixed. Speaking at the ongoing Paris Motor Show, Müller acknowledged "there have been some mistakes" with the first generation, pointing out the exterior & interior design "could be better."

The second generation Panamera will have a "faster" roofline and based on previous spy shots the meaning of the word in this context is longer and more sloped to create a sleeker appearance without shaving off rear headroom while the car's overall dimensions will be virtually the same.

Müller went on to say they have created a "very unique shape" for the new Panamera that hasn't been done so far in this segment but is sure "a lot of people won't like the design of the next generation." He prefers coming out with a polarizing design rather than just playing it safe.

Styling aside, the upcoming Panamera will ride on the MSB platform and should lose as much as 91 kg (200 lbs) while power is expected to come from a new range of in-house developed V6 and V8 engines compatible with both rear- and all-wheel drive systems.

There are some rumors suggesting Porsche is also working on a two-door Panamera with either a soft or a hard top but additional details are not available at this point. A "mini Panamera" codenamed "Pajun" has allegedly been pushed back until 2019.

If you expected Porsche to tear up the design rulebook and start from scratch with the Panamera II, then you're obviously unacquainted with Stuttgart's styling practices.

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that Porsche's designers won't lift a finger, but that they will take the existing Panamera formula and correct and prettify it, if that makes sense.

If you take the shooting brake-style 2012 Panamera Sport Turismo concept and turn it into a lift back model, you'll have a pretty good idea of what the new Panamera will look like.

As evidenced by this latest prototype, it will have sportier proportions and crispier lines throughout, all while keeping its family ties with the current model, which may have not won much praise for its looks, but it filled Porsche's coffers quite nicely, thank you very much.

Design aside, the next Panamera will ride on Porsche's freshly developed and lighter MSB platform and get a new generation of V6 and V8 gasoline units together with a diesel and a plug-in hybrid. As with the current car, there will be both rear- and all-wheel drive models.

The Panamera is still a couple years away, with the market launch believed to occur in late 2016 or early 2017.

This could be excellent news for those whom appreciate the Panamera but could never get to grips with its looks. Apparently, Porsche is looking to create several derivatives of the next-gen model, the most likely of which being one similar to the Sport Turismo concept (pictured).

A previous report suggested they were not making variations of it, but now another one from AutoExpress says otherwise. It quotes Porsche’s head of research and development, Wolfgang Hatz, who said:

“First of all we are developing at the moment a new Panamera, that is true, you’ve probably already seen picture of the first prototypes. What we have designed is an entirely new car with a new platform. We have prepared it for a lot of derivatives, personally I like very much the Sport Turismo, I love this car. But there is a good chance for more derivatives.”

As far as unequivocal statements go, this one is a fair example of that. He concluded that it “could be convertible, could be Sport Turismo and now we have to decide which is the one that hits our needs.” The drop-top seems the least likely to appear, as the brand already sells enough of them according to the exec.

Will have significantly less physical buttons

The second generation Porsche Panamera has been undergoing winter testing ahead of next year's reveal.

Once again the exterior was wearing a minimal amount of camo with some foils on the headlight and taillight clusters while some of the body panels were cleverly disguised with thin plastic wraps painted in the same color as the body. The design has remained instantly recognizable but the back has been reworked since it's more sloped and looks sleeker compared to the rather bulky rear end of the outgoing Panamera.

More extensive changes have occurred inside the cabin where Porsche has apparently eliminated many of the physical buttons around the gear selector to create a significantly less cluttered layout. Also noticeable is a second cup holder and a redesigned three-spoke steering wheel with aluminum inserts.

Underneath the familiar skin is an entirely new car as the second generation Porsche Panamera will adopt the MSB platform which should enable a massive 200 lbs (91 kg) weight loss. The model is expected to get newly developed V6 and V8 turbocharged engines as well as a plug-in hybrid version.

The overhauled Panamera could also pave the way to an extended range that could include a two-door coupe and/or convertible which if green-lighted will come out later during the car's lifespan.