2012 PARIS SHOW STARS

Panamera Sport Turismo is providing clues to a new estate body, plug-in hybrid and interior design

- Is this Porsche's riposte to the Merc CLS Shooting Brake? 

In some ways, it is. The Panamera Sport Turismo is a hatchback body derived from today's, err, hatchback Panamera.

Sounds confusing, right? Yeah, that's because it's how you're going to define what a hatchback, fastback, estate or shooting brake is exactly all about.

Make it like this: the Sport Turismo is the more practical version of the regular Panamera sporting a longer roofline, more upright rear windscreen and boot lid opening from the bumper's level.

Obviously, the Sport Turismo has a bigger boot capacity, although Porsche isn't saying by how much.

- Will it be made?

Digital interface on console could simplify today’s messy layout.

There's no official line from Porsche yet at the Paris motor show, but it is widely believed that the Weissach gentleman have been investigating into such a body style for quite some time already _ more for reason of diversified styling rather than enhanced functionality.

It's possible that this body silhouette could appear in the second-generation Panamera due in 2016. However, those distinctive front LED lights and 911-style rear lamps could influence next year's facelift of the regular Panamera.

- The interior looks quite tidy...

We agree, and it would be nice if the fascia and console design appear in future models because today's instrument panel is ergonomically flawed and console messily laid out.

Note the simplified design and the digital interface in the Sport Turismo _ it should really lift Porsche interiors to a new, contemporary level.

- The same goes for the hybrid, right?

Yup. The Sport Turismo takes today's 3.0-litre V6 supercharged engine used in the Panamera and Cayenne Hybrid models and couples it with new electric capacitors with double the power of the existing modules.

That raises the combined power output from 380hp to 416hp. The 0-100kph acceleration time is only slightly better at 6.0sec flat, but the pure electric driving range increases to 30km at speeds of no more than 130kph.

Also new is a plug-in facility for some 2.5hr recharging time via the wall socket. This tech will first be seen in next year's 918 Spyder hypercar, which is also said to be the first Porsche to get the newly designed instrument binnacle.

Having said that, electrification certainly lies in the future of not only Porsche but also other rival sports car brands.

New lights and bumper could influence facelifted Panamera.