Vehicle: 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo with 18-way adapative sports seats with memory pkg and Park Assist
Price as tested: CDN$158810

Performance: When it comes to building performance car, Porsche is no stranger to anyone else. The Panamera, however, is Porsche’s first foray into the Porsche sedan segment. A great performance sedan has to begin with a great engine. Our Panamera Turbo is the best testament to this area. When you put a 4.8 liter DOHC 32-valve V8 with two turbochargers with Porsche’s direct fuel injection, which dubbed DFI. It creates a monster that has 500 horses and 516 lb/ft of torque. The result is simply astounishing even Panamera weights in at 4343 lb of Gemran leather-lined of luxury. The throttle response is sharp and quick, without all those annoying overly responsive tip-in as we used to in many performance luxury cars. The exhaust note is Teutonic solid. Driver is able to change the exhaust note through one of the many buttons on Panamera’s center console. Its not only the low-end acceleration is impressive, both middle and upper ranges are equally amazing thanks to Porsche’s DFI and VarioCam Plus. Even with two turbos always in full boil, there is any annoying turbo lag that is so common with turbocharged cars. Those turbos kick in instantly and efficiently without breaking a sweat. 7-speed DPK or what Porsche stands for Direct Shift Gearbox is the only transmission available with the Panamera. As with all the DSG we have ever driven, this has to be the quickest transmission available. Its not only quick on the way upshift, its able to rev match when downshift with heel-and-toe build into the equation. It shifts quicker than any race car driver just by using the nifty paddle shifters. However, Porsche’s execution of paddle shifters take some time to get used to. As we already complained in the 911, Cayman and Boxster with similar system. Given Porsche already in the VW Group, they should implement the design that works so flawlessly in both VW and Audi.

Handling: Talk about chassis rigidty, no one would ever doubt Porsche engineered the best-of-the-best chassis in the world. The Panamera has set another world standards when it comes to chassis rigidty and stiffness. While there remain plenty of electronic nannies that are able to compensate for Panamera’s weight, when it comes to cornering prowess. Those electronics works flawlessly with both chassis and driver itself. The PDCC dials out 99% of body rolls when pushed. As we all expected, Porsche’s PASM or Porsche Active Suspension Management’s “Sport Plus” really gives Panamera a healthy does of sportiness. Both the suspension, steering and optional sports seats tighten up for better response. That’s already on top of the exceptional response through the use of “Sport”. The steering is sharper and more precise. While the suspension feels stiffer, it remains fairly compliant when driven over rough pavements. While Sport rides comfortably, Sport Plus rides firmly without feeling overly harsh. PSM has always been the most uninstrusive stability control in the market. The same story goes with the Panamera. When it comes with the excellent AWD system, which senses more power to the rear wheels until it detects slippage. It gives Panamera a true rear-driver feel without losing the confidence of an AWD in winter climate. Combined with all those nifty electronics, its really hard to get it rears its ugly heads.

Brakes: Porsche’s large 4-wheel discs and standard ABS have never disappointed us before. Panamera continues to impressive with its short stopping distance. The pedal feel and modulation could well be the best sedan I have ever tested. The pedal never felt spongy regardless of how many times we nailed it during hard stops. Always firm, always solid and never fade really does define Porsche’s awesome brakes.

Interior: Slip behind the wheel of the Panamera, all you find is a true driver’s environment. All the instrumentation gauges, stereo and climate control are logically layout. Both the leather and plastic materials are from top-shelf, as one expects from a Porsche costing north of 150 grand. If there is one dislike, its there are just way too many buttons around the center console.

Panamera’s 4-seater configuration explains why its back seat’s legroom is fairly spacious. If the headroom is at a premium due to its slightly low roofline. All the seats are wrapped up in superb leather that provide top-notch support during cornering.

Panamera’s hatchback design has given it plenty of cargo space especially when the rear seats fold down. Unfortunately, the liftover is too high for loading heavy luggages.

Conclusion: Even if the Panamera has 4 doors, it feels every inch a Porsche right from its engine to handling dynamics. There aren’t many cars that are able to match its overall balance of performance and luxury at its price range, certainly not from any of its hometown rivals.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo
=====================================
Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5