A friend recently took delivery of his 2013 Panamera. We could not tell any difference in the exterior styling, even though spy shots on the web seem to indicate that there was an update.

Inside, however, there were several changes compared with 2011. New door lock/unlock buttons are present at the front door handles, which I like and it makes more sense. More lettering and +/- indications in the A/C temperature and fan switches. Presence of blind spot indicators on the inner sides of the rear side mirrors (this was present on the 2012 models also).

What was surprising was the nonfunctioning chrono in the center, present regardless of whether sport chrono is ticked as an option, except it displays no time or stopwatch without that option. This makes me wonder if a software update would enable that timepiece.

 

the 13 is supposed to be faster? Is this a lie?

 

It is very interesting to know that. I hope by any chance u can take a photo of that timepiece. And what version is ur friend's panny???

 

This is very wierd. I havent seen any other than spy photos on the facelift and now your friend has one? Also some things dont add up. Blind spot indicators have been an optional extra from the beginning. This is the only model in the Porsche lineup with a sport chrono clock without asking, sounds more like a mistake than real upgrade. It is not very pretty, so I dont think people want the **** without any action. I am also 100% sure there will be optical (minor) changes. BTW I havent heard of any new engines, so why would it be faster?

I am pretty sure this is not the facelift model.

 

I got a 2012 Cayenne V6 last April. All late 2012 versions have the chrono clock in the dashboard. The Cayenne does not have something like a sport chrono package so the clock is nothing more than that - a clock. I guess a Panamera without Sport Chrono Package would be the same.

At the same time I bought a Panamera GTS. The later Cayenne 2012 models have the door lock/unlock buttons at the front door handles and my Cayenne has it. However, my Panamera does not. I guess they added it to the more recent ones.

 

My friend's 2013 is a Panamera V6, rear-wheel drive.

I did take a picture of the clock. Will post it after I get to my computer.

From what I know the engine is the same so it should not be quicker.

However, when I drove it, I noticed that the throttle response has been altered or reprogrammed so that in comfort mode, it is easier to drive, at least compared with my 2011.

For example, when backing up, the clutch seems to engage more readily without that extra wait and the car accelerates more in line with the degree of throttle application. Similarly when driving forward, the car does more of what you'd expect based on the throttle application. In my 2011, in comfort mode, the response is lazy, and the car seems to fight you whenever you want to go faster unless you insist and push down harder (or put it in sport/sport plus). That's been improved.

My friend's new Panamera had only 200 miles on it, so I didn't floor the accelerator and can't tell you if it's faster or not.

Kip - the blind spot indicators became an option on the 2012 models, as they were not available when I ordered my 2011.

 

Just looked online at photos of a 2013 base model at my dealership and it does have the sport chono clock.

http://www.porscheofmelbourne.com/ne...7ce20257e2.htm

 

this car may have the sport chrono option