Panamera

Vehicle: 2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S with 18-way adaptive sports seats
Price as tested: CDN$200935

Performance: As anything with a Porsche that comes with an “S”, it denotes a higher performing version of an existing model. Just when a “turbo” and “S” collaborate together, it usually means something awesome. That’s the case with the introduction of the Panamera Turbo S. It turns the 4.8 liter DOHC 32-valve V8 biturbo from a rather “sedate” 500 stallion to 550 stallion, which upping the torque figure from 516 to 553 lb/ft of torque. The result is nothing but astounishing given Panamera is weighting in at 1995kg. Its able to take you from north to 100 km/h in less than 4 seconds. Just flip the switch between “Sport” and “Sport Plus” on the Sport Choron, the turbo is able to go into overboost for 10 seconds with 599 lb/ft of torque. All have done with the usual Porsche aura, I meant the engine note. The throttle response is laser-sharp without feeling overly twitchies. Mated with those awesome engine is Porsche’s PDK, which is Porsche buzzword for dual clutch gearbox. Along with paddle shifters which are able to override at any time, its software has matched with this powerband exceptionally well. The shifts are crisp while gear ratios very well proportioned. It works in a harmonic and refined package which is a rarity in any price range.

Handling: When Porsche originally introduced the Panamera, many people, including yours truly wondering if this is a “real Porsche”. A drive in a Turbo version has all of us changed our original opinion. The Panamera is 100% a “real Porsche”, in terms of performance and dynamic experience. Porsche is about driving purity and dynamic leadership in each of the respective segments. The Turbo S has proved, once again, that Panamera handles like a digging. Along with the wonderfully stout chassis, which uses a bespoke architecture, for this very sports sedan. It comes with a clever yet proactive AWD system, which is able to work hand-in-hand with Porsche’s PASM and PSM. When you press the “Sport” or “Sport Plus”, its already tidy handling has sharpened up eventually to provide even more entertaining driving experience. The suspension has stiffened up while the sports seats are able to hug driver more tightly through the corners. This setting has allowed the PSM, or Porsche Stability Management, to have the highest thresold to allow for oversteer on the racetrack. The result is a Porsche sports sedan which handles like a dream. Through the corners, its as flat as a gravy on a plate. The steering is the best in the business, with wonderful feel and feedback, while responsive and precise. There are minimal body rolls while under and oversteer are superbly controlled. The PDCC and PTV, latter equals Porsche’s Torque Vectoring, has provided desired effect to control over and understeer when exiting a corner. What really made Porsche stood out from the crowd, unlike one Munich carmaker, is their refusal to use any of those run-flat tires. Porsche’s commitment to performance tires have provided far better grip without losing any of those supple ride comfort. There are carmakers which produce great handling cars, also those who are capable of producing comfortably riding cars. However, most of them have dreamed of producing cars which yield great handling capabilities without losing any ride quality. But none of them are able to come out with such a perfect harmony as Porsche does with their suspension tricks.

Brakes: With large 4-wheel disc brakes + PCCB, Panamera’s stopping distance is as amazing as its performance and dynamic abilities. The stopping distance is short, while pedal feels firm and solid. This has to be the best brakes I have ever tested in anything with 4-doors. It remains fade-free after a couple of harsh stops, while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily.

Interior: Porsche’s interior used to be austere and spartan, for good reasons. Panamera’s interior is anything but luxurious. All comes with top-notch plastic and leather materials. If there are pet peeve, its the speakers on the A-pillars are somewhat reflective to the dashboard.

Along with fold-down rear seats for its fastback versatility, Panamera also has a spacious backseat. That means a Porsche can have driving fun with four instead of two on board.

Conclusion: Whenever Porsche wants to go into a respective segment, their goal is to produce the very benchmark. As we have witnessed with the Cayenne, which already proved to the gold standard of luxury SUV. Panamera is another case of which Porsche is able to upped-the-ante in the segment which they have never been ventured into. With the Turbo S, Porsche wants to stay on top of this upper luxury sports sedan category.

Competitions:
Aston Martin Rapide
Audi A8L W12 Quattro
Bentley Continential Flying Spur
Jaguar XJ Supersport
Mercedes S63/S65 AMG

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2011 Porsche Panamera Turbo S
=====================================
Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 4/5

Overall rating: 4.5/5

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