With 500 horsepower on tap, few would call the 2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo underpowered. Evidently, “enough” isn’t in Porsche’s vocabulary, as the German automaker just announced it will begin offering a Turbo Powerkit to boost output to 540 horsepower, as well as a design package and unique wheels for the rest of the lineup.

The Turbo Powerkit features two new, lighter turbos for improved engine response. In order to boost output from the Panamera Turbo’s 4.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8, Porsche opted to swap out turbochargers. For even better response, the engine control unit has also been updated, for total output of 540 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque — increases of 40 and 37, respectively. When equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, torque rises to 590 pound-feet in Sport Plus mode.

With the boost in power and torque, Porsche claims the Panamera Turbo will run from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, around 0.1 second faster than the standard Panamera Turbo. Top speed also rises by 2 mph to 190 mph.

All this speed doesn’t come cheap, however. The Turbo Powerkit, and its 40 horsepower bump, will retail for $21,730 when it becomes available next month. It will be optional on all 2011 Panamera Turbos, and will be offered as a retrofit this November.

In addition to adding a power upgrade for the Panamera Turbo, Porsche has crafted a new design package for the entire Panamera lineup. The new Sport Design Package includes a body-color front fascia with larger black air intakes, side skirts, and body-color rear diffuser. The whole package costs $4590, but side skirts can be ordered as a standalone option. Both can be fitted to any Panamera model and go on sale in October.

Porsche will also offer 20-inch, Panamera Sport wheels as an option across the Panamera lineup. They can be ordered in silver metallic, black, or body color. Prices vary by model and go on sale in October.

The amount of standard and optional kit across the Panamera is already staggering, ditto its horsepower and performance figures. Is there a need for $20,000 packages like the Turbo Powerkit  (which could pay for an additional car), or are the 40 horsepower and improved engine response worth every dollar?

 Source: Porsche

We knew it back in March, but after months of speculation, it’s official: Porsche’s mid-engine 918 Spyder hybrid concept will enter production.

“Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts,” said Porsche President and CEO Michael Macht.

Porsche’s first plug-in hybrid supercar will be developed in-house by Porsche in Weissach, Germany, and produced in Zuffenhausen. The 918 Spyder concept car’s efficient powertrain allows for above 700 horsepower, through a 495-horsepower 3.4-liter V-8 and three electric motors, and a resultant 78 mpg (94.1 imperial mpg). No information regarding pricing has been released yet, though preliminary estimations hover around $630,000.

In our First Look at the 918 Spyder, European bureau chief Georg Kacher predicted the 918 concept “will pave the way for the next Porsche supercar.” Automotive design editor Robert Cumberford praised the 918 for having “about twice as many good styling ideas as it needs, and no doubt they’ll eventually be used — but not all at once.”

The 918 Spyder will make its first American appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this August.

Source: Porsche