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SPIED: Porsche's second-gen Panamera testing in SA

Cape Town - Automakers have been soaking up the South African sun over the past few months.

No less than five test units have been spotted in the Western Cape.

Test mules galore

A heavily camouflaged Land Rover Discovery 5 was seen in Stellenbosch in January, Wheels24's Sean Parker then spotted the SA-bound Maserati Levante in Franschhoek in February.

Then a trio of Audis were spotted testing in the Western Cape. The A5 cabriolet, sportback and coupe, Q5 and Q2  were seen by an eagled-eyed observer.

Audi SA confirmed all three models will be introduced locally in 2017.

Next gen Panamera?

Now it seems another test unit was spotted. Retief de Villiers tweeted Wheels24 about a line of Panameras parked in Gordon's Bay, outside Somerset West.

Details about the car remain sketchy, but Carmagazine.co.uk said the second-generation will usher in three new body styles; five-door coupe, five-door long-wheelbase coupe and a five-door SportTurismo shooting brake.

On the engine front, expect the second iteration to have V6 and V8 diesels, there will be a 2.9-litre V6 petrol and a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6 rated and a sporty 4.0-litre V8.

Hybrids?

Why yes, industry insiders are pointing towards a duo of plug-ins, one with petrol V6 and the second one boasting a V6 diesel.

Porsche SA confirmed the second generation Porsche Panamera is slated for release later in 2016.

Watch: 971 Panamera testing in Stuttgart

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