Test Drive: Porsche Panamera 4S

[kahmed79]

I drove the new Porsche Panamera 4S a few days ago back in California. I was really curious to find out what the Panamera could deliver. The looks of the car have already grown on me and I admire the uniqueness of the design. If the exterior doesn't win most people over the interior really should. I love the cockpit style layout with lots of buttons overhead and on the center console. I prefer this approach to the iDrive, COMMAND, MMI, HMI, etc.


The quality of engineering that went into this car is apparent from the moment you swing open the door. If you accidentally open the door too fast there are mechanisms in place that slow the motion of the door down so you don't slam into something or someone. The seats are very comfortable as they should be in a long distance cruiser and are highly adjustable so that finding a good driving position should be possible for everyone. The rear seats are amazing as well and there is more than enough leg and head room for anyone in the back, I honestly felt like I was sitting the back of a Maybach.


Some of the buttons in the center console control the exhaust noise, sport and sport plus options, damping, and stop/start operation. I left the exhaust butterflies open the whole time as the V8 had a nice burble. The stop/start operation was seamless, the car shuts down the engine everytime you stop for a couple seconds and as soon as you get on the gas the engine starts in an instant and the car moves off... the engine doesn't need to crank again as the engine stops mid-cycle. Sport and Sport Plus really change the ride of the car and shift get even faster. For highway driving I would just leave the car in standard mode, that way you can have a supple ride and still have excellent body control. The car exhibits no perceptible body roll even in standard mode. The Sport Chrono is another really cool feature that the car I drove was equipped with. Basically its a stopwatch mounted on the dash and controlled by buttons on the steering wheel...just in case you have a need for a stopwatch.


The 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission (the only available trans in the Panamera) is quick and very smooth, I didn't find any rough spots and I think the character of the transmission suits the Panamera perfectly. This was the first time I had the chance to try out the new PDK transmission and although its fine in the Panamera I would only go for a manual transmission in the 911 and Boxster/Cayman.


The Panamera 4S is off course all wheel drive and although I didn't get the chance to drive a rear wheel drive Panamera I think the AWD option is a good choice because you don't really loose much driving feel in the AWD Porsches. The Panamera is not GT3 RS but then again it's not meant to be. Being a Porsche the car is playful, entering the freeway I floored the throttle and was able to easily get the rear to hang out for a sec, with the traction control still on. I'm sure this car will drift happily with the traction and stability controls turned off. Acceleration is more than adequate for a heavy beast like the Panamera.


Overall, I really liked the Panamera and I think Porsche has more than achieved what they set out to do. However, I must say that the Maserati Quattroporte is still the more soulful car...Italian cars are just really good at that. In terms of overall refinement, engineering, and practicality the Panamera beats the QP hands down. Which one would I pick? The Panamera.


Pics moved to main page - MOD

[ekdrifter]

panamera is a nice car but if u compare it to BMW M5 than BMw is cheeper and a bit preety
the biggest prob with panamera is looks and it goess like hell
but ppl are more concerned about looks

[kahmed79]

The pic uploader is down so i'll load the pics later.

[kahmed79]

Originally Posted by ekdrifter

panamera is a nice car but if u compare it to BMW M5 than BMw is cheeper and a bit preety the biggest prob with panamera is looks and it goess like hell but ppl are more concerned about looks

The Panamera needs to be seen in person, it doesn't look all that great in pics. Most people will miss out on this incredible car because of the looks.

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Panamera has grown on me as time passed by, maybe because I will not like to perish the Panamera for one odd C-Pillar rearward over infinite beauties Front and Interior!!


You drove the 4S, The PDK is an option..you got lucky there! :p


Missed the torque?! No flaws found!


Nice write though!


Here's how I list my top 3 Super Sedans:


1. BMW M5!(Ill buy super-sedans over any hyper/super-car anytime of the day(Super-sedans seduce me more then the hyper-cars, I call these super sedans milf) - and it was this car which have given me the taste & love I have developed for Super sedans!


2. Porsche Panamera!(The Interior and Front with Porsche Performance(Torque+PDK+RWD) will grow on you, trust me)


3. Cady CTS-V! (Its the super-sedan of yore made today).

[hash4u]

very nice write up like always.
enjoyed reading every bit of it

[kahmed79]

Originally Posted by ToofaneBatameezi

Panamera has grown on me as time passed by, maybe because I will not like to perish the Panamera for one odd C-Pillar rearward over infinite beauties Front and Interior!!


You drove the 4S, The PDK is an option..you got lucky there! :p


Missed the torque?! No flaws found!


Nice write though!


Here's how I list my top 3 Super Sedans:


1. BMW M5!(Ill buy super-sedans over any hyper/super-car anytime of the day(Super-sedans seduce me more then the hyper-cars, I call these super sedans milf) - and it was this car which have given me the taste & love I have developed for Super sedans!


2. Porsche Panamera!(The Interior and Front with Porsche Performance(Torque+PDK+RWD) will grow on you, trust me)


3. Cady CTS-V! (Its the super-sedan of yore made today).

I have to say that the front is somewhat bland but the rear is interesting to say the least.


The PDK is not an option in the U.S., it's the only choice of transmission. Europe gets a 6-speed manual.


The Panamera V8 has plenty of torque IMO.


On your list of performance sedans:


Once you drive all of the performance sedans you'll be surprised how far behind the M5 is compared to the competition. Of course it's a previous generation car but technology has moved on a long way since the release of the E60 M5.

[kahmed79]

Originally Posted by hash4u

very nice write up like always. enjoyed reading every bit of it

Thanks bro, I appreciate it!

[ToofaneBatameezi]

The Turbo Panamera has 500 HP and 700 NM!! Now did you or did you not miss that ..especially when you know the rear tires are only burning!!

Khair, I mean literally....I dont enjoy these discussion with you experienced blokes...They are somewhat feel, left incomplete!! No no no...you guys are not the reason...Be afraid of the day I drive these things..and trust me your fingers will tire of typing! :p

[Bilaltq]

Originally Posted by ekdrifter

panamera is a nice car but if u compare it to BMW M5 than BMw is cheeper and a bit preety the biggest prob with panamera is looks and it goess like hell but ppl are more concerned about looks

The Panamera needs to be seen in person, it doesn't look all that great in pics. Most people will miss out on this incredible car because of the looks.



[/quote]


I don't know. I saw it at the autoshow here, and it's an updated, fatter, and longer version of the 928 IMO. Of course the looks are subjective, but anytime Porsche makes something other than the 911, the looks department is always controversial.


Glad to see you'd choose it over the Quattroporte. I guess if I were given the choice, it'd depend on my level of maturity at the time. The QP is obviously for a more grown up market segment, while the Porsche... is a Porsche.

[z06]

panamera was a car to compare with M5 that is what Porsche Planned...but they are wrong...FUGLY...

[Storm]

@kahmed79
right then,... please supply me with your home address so i may fly over to you and kill you!!!

excellent write-up, i felt a real connection with the panamera,... still have to see one in real life though to pass my final verdict but i'm sure i'll not be disappointed.

[Storm]

Here's how I list my top 3 Super Sedans:



1. BMW M5!(Ill buy super-sedans over any hyper/super-car anytime of the day(Super-sedans seduce me more then the hyper-cars, I call these super sedans milf) - and it was this car which have given me the taste & love I have developed for Super sedans!


2. Porsche Panamera!(The Interior and Front with Porsche Performance(Torque+PDK+RWD) will grow on you, trust me)


3. Cady CTS-V! (Its the super-sedan of yore made today).

no E63?

[Bilaltq]

Originally Posted by Storm

no E63?

Well it's either that, or my arms and legs.


Of course this is not to say that the Panamera is for commoners.

[ToofaneBatameezi]

Storm bhaiyya, The list is for Top 3...E63 is all there in after the CLS 63 !!

The Today's E...has the most Aggressive front Ive seen!! Its like Spider-man with that black sticky stuff on!!

[wik_a]

Very nice review. Panamera sounds a great car after reading your review. Thanks for sharing. (Y)

[nickatnite]

Nice review. I could never write so much.

[KamranAslam]

@Kamran: I have moved few pics to the main page.

They way you have reviewed it -- it can not get better (Y)

[kahmed79]

Originally Posted by KamranAslam

@Kamran: I have moved few pics to the main page. They way you have reviewed it -- it can not get better (Y)

Thank you sir!

[kahmed79]

Originally Posted by z06

panamera was a car to compare with M5 that is what Porsche Planned...but they are wrong...FUGLY...

The E60 M5 itself isn't all that great looking, the E39 looked much better. Even the E34 and E28 M5s looked amazing.