Panamera GTS

On October 16th last month, Porsche finally announced the new Panamera GTS. I thought, “It’s about time I try the configurator” (not that I’m buying, just daydreaming), so I checked the Porsche Japan site, but the Panamera GTS was still listed as “Price TBD” and the configurator wasn’t available yet. (As of November 16, 2018) What a bummer…

*Image source: Porsche Japan Panamera GTS Models

But since I was already in the mood to play with the configurator, I thought, “No way I’m stopping until I try it!” So I checked the US Porsche site, and there the price was already listed, and the Panamera GTS configurator was available.

Yes! (*ﾟ∀ﾟ)(By the way, the price is $128,300.00)

The 2+1 Seat Option

Without looking at the price, I started adding options and choosing colors just for fun, and then I stumbled upon a surprising fact. There was an option that said,

“You can configure the Panamera’s rear seats as 2+1 seats.”

I had never seen such an option in Japan. I immediately thought, “Wait, did I accidentally open the Panamera Sport Turismo configurator?” But I double-checked, and it was definitely the “Panamera GTS.” (Well, the Sport Turismo comes with 2+1 seats as standard, so no option needed there.)

When we bought our Panamera before,

“It’s a 4-seater, so if we have more kids, the whole family won’t fit.”
“If someone other than family rides along, going out in the Panamera is impossible.”
“Then should we get a BMW 7 Series?”
“No, but I want a Porsche.”
“Then maybe a Cayenne?”
“But I really want the Panamera.”

…we went back and forth a lot before deciding on the Panamera. But if the Panamera GTS offers the 2+1 seat option, those worries pretty much disappear.

Curious, I checked if this option is available on the already released 971 Panamera (non-GTS)…

Turns out, it’s available there too!! Seriously!

Thinking this was a big deal, I immediately emailed my husband, and he replied,

Yeah, that’s been available overseas for a while. From the GTS, it seems you’ll be able to choose the 2+1 rear seat option in Japan too.

No way. I had no idea…! (From what I found, some people in Japan have already reserved the new Panamera GTS and selected the 3-seat rear option.) I wonder how many people in the US are choosing this option. Once the Panamera GTS price and release date are announced in Japan, I’m sure more info will come out, and I’ll share it here on the blog as soon as I know.