Insanely expensive Panamera Exclusive Series shows two-tone bling ahead of LA Auto Show

Only 100 examples of the top-shelf Panamera sedan will be produced

    The Porsche Panamera, despite all the enthusiast whining when it came out, has been one of the company’s strongest sellers. Now Porsche is introducing the Panamera Exclusive Series, which features more luxury than the company has ever offered before. The limited-edition series is based on the already-exclusive Panamera Turbo S and will be unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

    A two-tone paint scheme will be offered for the first time. The suggested palette consists of jet black metallic and a contrasting chestnut brown. Porsche says each of the 100 examples will be painted by hand, and traditional paint schemes will also be available. The Exclusive Series wears the company’s 20-inch Sport Classic wheels, painted black for this car.

    Inside, the seats and doors are swathed in chestnut brown leather with a special finish developed by Italian design studio Poltrona Frau. Porsche says it hand-picks the “exceptionally soft” leather used in this car. The seat ventilation holes are even cut into Porsche crests. Black napa leather accents the chestnut brown, as does the piano black trim in front and back.

     Porsche is introducing its new Rear Seat Entertainment System Plus in the Exclusive Series. It comes with two 10.1-inch touchscreens in the headrests, along with a built-in camera and an integrated DVD player. Audio can be played either through wireless headphones or the car’s sound system.

     Since it’s based on the Turbo S, buyers get a 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8. Along with 570 hp it delivers 590 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard and gear changes are made by a seven-speed PDK. Mileage hasn’t been announced, but figure it will be close (or identical) to the 15 city, 24 highway of the Turbo S.

    The Panamera Exclusive Series can be ordered now for -- get ready -- $264,895, which is a whopping $85,000 more than the Turbo S that it’s based on. But hey, you also get an interior plaque showing its limited edition number, hand-made badges and a custom-tailored luggage set with five pieces -- there’s your added value right there.