Porsche's facelifted Panamera caught undisguised at the Nürburgring

Porsche has been caught testing an undisguised prototype of the facelifted Panamera at the Nürburgring, effectively showing the styling updates for the mid-lifecycle refresh well ahead of any official debut.

The car is instantly recognisable as a Panamera because the changes are deliberately subtle: reshaped bumper intakes, a new rear bumper and a tweaked diffuser, with the only camouflage left being tape over the Porsche lettering on the tail.

The current, third-generation Panamera arrived in 2023 with more mature styling, a plusher interior, heavier electrification and a sophisticated air suspension setup, so a mid-cycle refresh three years in is right on schedule. What the spy shots show is a sharper nose: the redesigned front bumper intakes now sit level with the upper grille, while diagonal wings in the lower bumper add a slightly sportier stance.

Along the sides nothing much changes, though fresh colours and new alloy wheels remain possible given Porsche's extensive Sonderwunsch personalisation programme. The real news is at the back, where a new bumper carries extra outlets on the sides and a slightly reshaped diffuser sits between carry-over quad exhausts, all beneath the full-width LED taillights and active spoiler.

Which version is this?

The aggressive bumpers, electrified stickers and alloy wheels suggest the prototype is the flagship Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, since the sporty GTS runs a non-hybrid V8 and the base, 4 and 4S trims wear more discreet styling. The longer-wheelbase Executive body, aimed at markets like China, is expected to survive the facelift.

The prototype carries a roll cage and our spies could not see inside, but covered centre console shots from earlier sightings point to interior changes: possibly a curved touchscreen like the Cayenne Electric's, an updated digital instrument cluster and new trim options.

Powertrains and the Nürburgring record

Under the skin, the expectation is a greater push towards plug-in hybrid powertrains. The most potent Turbo S E-Hybrid currently makes up to 771 hp (575 kW / 782 PS) and holds the fastest Panamera lap of the Nürburgring at 7:24.17, a time the facelifted car is expected to improve on.

The signature Porsche Active Ride suspension could also be developed further, keeping its place among the most sophisticated systems in the segment. The open question is whether Porsche keeps non-electrified six-cylinder and V8 options at all, which hinges on those engines meeting future emissions rules in Europe.

That decision matters more than any bumper tweak. If Porsche trims the combustion range, the Panamera's identity shifts further towards plug-in hybrid, following the direction the third generation already took.

When does it arrive?

Porsche has not announced a launch date. Prototypes of the updated car have been spotted since early 2026, suggesting final-stage development, with a debut expected within the next few months. Pricing, detailed specifications and market availability have not been announced.

Chery has confirmed that iCaur, its adventure-focused SUV brand, will launch in the UK in early 2027 as the group's fifth marque there, joining Omoda, Jaecoo, Chery and Lepas. The line-up opens with the V27, a Defender-sized 4x4 that uses a 450bhp range-extender EV powertrain in other markets.

The confirmation follows an earlier report that the brand had begun customer clinics in Britain to test demand, and the V27 has since been spotted testing on UK roads in camouflage.

A standalone brand with Chery's backing

iCaur will run as a standalone operation in the UK rather than sharing a retail network with Omoda and Jaecoo, although the company says it arrives with the backing, experience and resources of its parent. Chery has begun recruiting dealers and has been showing the V27 to prospective retailers, but the shape of the retail network has not been finalised.

The brand is named iCar in China and was renamed for overseas markets to avoid a dispute with Apple. A joint venture with JLR under the Freelander name is set to follow later, and the Jetour SUV brand could come too.

Powertrain and pricing still open questions

Chery has not confirmed whether the UK-bound V27 will carry the same 450bhp range-extender setup sold elsewhere, saying only that the model will be electrified and will pair electrified efficiency with off-road ability. Other Chery group models already sold in Britain offer petrol, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric drivetrains.

There is no UK price either. Order books opened in select European markets earlier this month with prices from €55,000, roughly £46,000. For context, the cheapest Land Rover Defender 110 costs about £18,000 more than that converted figure.

That gap is the pitch in a nutshell: iCaur is positioning the V27 as a cut-price route into Defender-style ownership, with the caveat that UK buyers will not know the final specification, powertrain or price until Chery confirms them closer to launch.

What else could follow the V27

The smaller V23, a pure-electric crossover, has not been confirmed for the UK but could follow the V27 into showrooms given the popularity of that body style here. There is also the mid-sized V25, which uses a range-extender powertrain like the V27.

Chery has opened a new engineering base at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire to adapt its models for UK requirements, which explains how the V27 has been running around British roads in disguise.