The twin-turbo V6 replaces the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 engine in the previous-generation Panamera S and Panamera 4S. The new bi-turbo engine is also used in the Executive version of the Panamera 4S. The engine's figures themselves are indicators of progress: increases of 20 hp and 15 lb-ft torque when compared to the outgoing V8 engine.
After all, up until only recently the XF had come powered exclusively by a selection of throbbing V8 engines that still top out at a galloping 510 horsepower (a 3.0-liter 340-horsepower supercharged V6 replaced the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in the lineup).
The two engines available for the U.S. market are carry-overs the 5.0-liter V8, either naturally aspirated (375 horsepower) or supercharged (510 hp) but they are now paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.
The reduced weight and additional gear ratios helps drop zero-to-60 acceleration time for the naturally aspirated V8 to 6.5 seconds, down from 7.2 seconds.
As in the prior generation, the Jaguar XJ offers a choice of naturally aspirated and supercharged V8 engines and makes extensive use of aluminum construction as a weight-saving measure.