New 3.0-litre V6 diesel for Porsche Panamera

Porsche has updated the Panamera diesel by fitting it with a new version of the Audi-sourced 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel engine, which will replace the current 247bhp motor.

To be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, Porsche is hoping the new engine will make the Panamera retain competitivness in a market that now features the all-new Mercedes S-Class and facelifted Audi A8.

Sharing only the same dimensions with the current V6 diesel, the thoroughly re-engineered engine features a new crankshaft and pistons. Combined with the new water-cooled turbocharger that features a higher boost pressure than before, power is up by 49bhp.

More impressive is that torque climbs by 100Nm, to 650Nm, meaning the Panamera sprints from 0-62mph eight-tenths faster than its predecessor, getting there in six seconds flat. Top speed has also increased from 151mph to 161mph.

To manage the hike in power, Porsche has fitted the Panamera diesel with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus - a feature normally reserved for its petrol-powered models. The system comes as standard and features an electronically controlled rear diff that can lock up for extra traction when accelerating. it also uses the rear brakes to help retain maximum traction and stability when cornering.

The suspension has also been retuned, with stiffer anti-roll bars front and rear. The ZF-sourced eight-speed Tiptronic S auto transmission has also been given new settings, lower gear ratios for the first four gears and a higher final drive ratio.

The new diesel returns 44.1mpg, slightly down on the current model's 44.8mpg. Likewise, the power boost has caused CO2 emissions to increase, up from 166g/km to 169g/km of CO2, although that keeps the Panamera in the same VED band.

The new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine in the Panamera will be available from January 2014, with prices expected to rise a little from today's £62,922.