Porsche Panamera

Porsche shocked the motor industry when it broke from its tradition of sports cars by releasing the Cayenne in 2003. The recent release of the Panamera marks another large step for the German company. The Panamera is a four-seater saloon car that no-one saw coming. Even when concepts were unveiled the worlds motoring press doubted that it would actually make an appearance on the road, how wrong we all were.

The Panamera may look strange at first but you soon learn to appreciate its faithfulness to the traditional Porsche design. Although 5 metres long, it still handles like a Porsche with great performance and minimal body roll.

Performance

There are  three versions of the V8 Panamera which starts with the S at 4.8 litres and a more than ample 400bhp. Equipped with a manual 6-speed gearbox as standard it will take you from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds. 26mpg may seem low to some but then again who buys a Porsche for the economy? Next in line is the 4S which has the same engine but has 4 wheel drive giving improved traction. This model comes with the seven-speed automatic gearbox as standard which uses a 2 clutch system to improve acceleration from 0-62mph in just 5.0 seconds. The most impressive model in the range is the Turbo which used the same engine again but is equipped with 2 turbochargers which ramp the power up to 500bhp. This model also comes with the automatic box as standard and is blisteringly quick with a 0-62mph time of a mere 4.2 seconds.

Handling

The Panamera is marketed as a large sports car as opposed to an executive saloon, driving it supports this. It is far more agile than one would assume when taking into account its size and weight. The suspension is firm but forgiving and it corners well, staying flat throughout all but the tightest turns.

A ‘sport’ button mounted on the central console stiffens the suspension, and makes the throttle more aggressive giving it even more of a sports car feel. Porsche’s adaptive air suspension system comes as standard on the Turbo and is available as an option on the S and 4S allowing you to tailor the ride to your preference.

Comfort

Even though this is a 4-seater you will still be amazed at the amount of legroom available in the rear seats. Even with the front seats adjusted all the way back, there is ample legroom for 2 adults. Wind noise is minimal and dual zone climate control and front electric heated leather seats add to the overall package.

Practicality

This is a sports car and sports cars have a reputation for being unpractical, this is another area where Porsche have broken the mould. As well as offering a lot of room for rear passengers, there is also a 445-litre boot space. The boot space is wide and very easy to access, especially if you take the electric opening and closing function as an option. The rear seats split and fold which can help when carrying large objects in the boot.

Equipment

As a premium car the Panamera is well equipped but you may be surprised to find that basic items such as floor mats do not come as standard. All models come as standard with a full leather interior, xenon headlights, rear parking sensors, electric windows and mirrors, dual-zone climate control, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), 18 inch alloy wheels, vehicle tracking and a 3d touch screen satellite navigation system. The Turbo comes equipped with 19 inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and a Bose surround sound system.

Safety

Euro NCAP have never crash tested a Porsche but the safety systems onboard the Panamera are impressive. An advanced stability control called PSM makes sure that the car stays on the road and there are front, curtain and side airbags as well as knee airbags for the front passengers.

Overall

The Panamera may look strange at first but it is a Porsche through and through. The design, handling and sheer presence of this vehicle may it stand out from the rest. With the added benefit of it being practical then Porsche are onto a winner.

1. 

   Bill says:

   September 30, 2009 at 12:05 pm

   What a stunning car, if I had kids (and £100k) I’d buy one of these