Kahn Design Porsche Panamera Super Sport Casts a Broader Black Shadow

When it comes to tuning Land Rover products, Kahn Design is arguably the best in the business. But this successful English firm by no means limits itself to homegrown SUVs; it has also applied its special touch to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SLR-McLaren and Jeep Wrangler. And just like the innumerable Land Rovers and Range Rovers that have left its workshop, these other makes and models combine clean, contemporary design cues with immaculate Old World craftsmanship and attention to detail.

So when we found out Kahn Design was working over a Porsche Panamera, we were understandably excited. We were even more excited when we heard that it would be called the Panamera Super Sport. And after looking at the pictures and reading about, it seems our anticipation was mostly justified.

The stock front fascia is fitted with a piece that makes it lower and wider; that second part is important because it flows into the front fender flares. There are also flares over the rear wheel arches, comprised of three pieces: One on the rear door, one on the quarter panel, and one on the rear fascia/bumper cover. Despite their being attached on top of the original Porsche components, the flares and extensions mesh well with the lines of the stock Panamera. The package also adds rocker extensions, two rear spoilers and custom quad exhaust tips. The wheels are Kahn’s own RS600 alloys, measuring 22”x9.5” in front and 22”x10.5” in back.

In classic Kahn Design fashion, the interior is just as tony as the exterior. The seats are reupholstered in a fashionable (if busy) mix of perforated leather, diamond-quilted leather and Alcantara. The dashboard and door panels receive pieces of piano black trim and, also a Kahn mainstay, a red-faced tachometer. It makes most stock Panamera interiors look dour and cheap by comparison.

As for performance, the name Super Sport certainly suggests that this creation is based on the Panamera Turbo or Turbo S, or at least maybe the S or GTS. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but it’s based on the not-for-America, mom-jeans-and-sensible-shoes Panamera Diesel. The stock 240hp and 406 lb.-ft of torque from the 3.0L V6 turbodiesel (which is shared with the Cayenne Diesel) certainly won’t serve up the kind of face-ripping acceleration numbers this car’s menacing looks suggest, but it will shave off a sizable chunk of the time you spend stationary at the filling station.

Kahn Design isn’t saying how much all these upgrades will lighten your wallet, but we’re guessing the figures won’t be massive. And since the interior and exterior bits will likely fit most or all other versions of the first generation Panamera, you have even fewer excuses for not looking into this for your Panamera. We’re not saying you have to, of course, but there aren’t a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t.

Source: Kahn Design