Looking at Porsche's sales numbers from 2021, the electric Taycan was a smash hit, nearly outselling the 911. The Taycan is so great, we wonder why anyone would buy the 2022 Porsche Panamera, which is priced similarly. Judging by the sales, buyers agree because the Panamera only sold 4,257 units in 2021 (the lowest of any Porsche model) compared to the Taycan with 9,419 units. We thought the Taycan's success might spell doom for the Panamera, but recent spy shots indicate Porsche is currently working on a major update for the latter.

Our spy photographers initially believed that camouflaged test mule was a mid-cycle facelift for the Panamera, but a new prototype sighting (pictured here) could indicate Porsche is working on the next-generation model.

This new test mule has certain changes that seem too extensive for a mid-cycle refresh. The second-generation Panamera arrived back in 2017, so a replacement seems imminent based on the timeline of the original model, which lasted six years.

This mule has different a different fuel cap, headlights, and door handles, elements that are rarely changed on a facelifted model. Unlike the previous sightings, this car has the rear side window covered, hinting the new Panamera could have a different shape for this element. Again, this is unusual for a mid-cycle refresh. Other noticeable changes include slimmer taillights, front fenders, and the area around the rear hatch.

We hope the final product borrows styling elements from the Taycan to make the Panamera look more futuristic. As for engines, we still aren't sure what will power the next-generation Panamera, but previous spy shots hinted at a hybrid drivetrain based on the presence of two fuel doors. All of the angles in this latest spy shot batch only include the passenger side, so it's unclear if the test mule had a charge port on the driver side. Not every customer is ready to switch to an all-electric car, so offering the next-generation Panamera as a plug-in hybrid seems like a smart move for Porsche.