Porsche Panamera – Does Petrol, Diesel & Hybrid in a 4 seater
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Motor Traders Bible looks at the Porsche Panamera
Ok so I’m old school. I wont make any excuses. 21 is a distant memory. If I think Porsche, I think cheeky hard top, V6, dodgy weighted back-end (911 specifically), which can fish tail if you’re not careful. Its exciting, its 2 seats, a lot of fun. So when I got to review the Panamera how shocked was I when I found out the following:
1st. There are 9 Panamera model types! Not nine colours and a choice of two engine sizes, but 9 Panamera model types. These are broken down in to:
- Panamera (Petrol 3.6l 6 cylinders), Panamera Diesel (Diesel 3l 6 cylinders), Panamera S (Petrol 4.8l V8)
- Panamera 4 (Petrol 3.6l 6 cylinder 4 WD), Panamera 4 S (Petrol 4.8l V8)
- Panamera GTS (Petrol 4.8l V8)
- Panamera Hybrid (Petrol 3l 6 cylinder, Electric 34 Kw/ 47 HP)
- Panamera Turbo (Petrol 4.8l V8 2WD), Panamera Turbo S (Petrol 4.8l V8 4WD)
So Porsche have broken in to the “family” sports arena, which was top end dominated by Aston Martin, Jaguar etc. A blend of high performance and practicality with improved performance as well as 4 seats.
The Panamera offers both two wheel drive and all wheel drive. For all, the engine is front mounted and a minimum of rear wheel drive. The manual gearboxes make the best of the Porsche 6-speed gearbox. Automatic drivers are well accomodated with the 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), which can also, as an optional extra, have the Auto start/stop function. As an improvement for the fuel consumption, reduction of power flow and arguably increase in performance the Panamera can have the double-clutch transmission. This will naturally provide the opportunity of faster gear changes.
On to the design, the Panamera shows its Porsche DNA, with tell tale signs of wheel arches higher than the bonnet, and a hint of a Cayman rear end. One of the exciting aspects of this exterior design has to be the rear spoiler which has been integrated into the rear tail gate/ glass. Around 60 mph the spoiler is deployed automatically. On the Panamera Turbo models the spoiler splits in the middle, with extensions deployed out to the left and right which, being wider provides further down force providing more stability.
Internally the Panamera provides an uncluttered appearance, utilising the raised central console. Furthermore, not only are there the four individual seats, but there is a surprising amount of leg room, which Porsche have attempted to make the most to boost the considerable luggage space. They do this by allowing the Panamera’s rear seats to fold down. With the rear seats up, Porsche claim there is room for 4 suitcases, ideal for all 4 passengers!
Performance wise, its a Porsche so 0-60 times over 3.2 to 5 seconds is possible across the range. But what is surprising of the mph, with the diesel clocking over 40 to the gallon!
What is exciting about the kit is the use of Porsche Doppelkupplung (aka PDK). This seven-speed system, which is fitted as standard in the Panamera 4, Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo models. You can also upgrade the Panamera and Panamera S if so desired. It supports both a manual gear shift as well as automatic. It even supports a 7th gear as an “overdrive” facility, which keeps running costs down. Interestingly, to achieve the top speed you need to be in the sportier 6th gear.
The PDK is effectively two gearboxes in one, thereby requiring two clutches. Porsche describe it as “The flow of power from the engine is transmitted through one half gearbox and one clutch at a time, while the next gear is pre-selected in the other half gearbox. During a gear change, therefore, a complete shift no longer takes place. Instead, one clutch simply opens and the other closes at the same time. Gear changes can therefore take place within a few hundredths of a second.” Porsche Site
The Panamera benefits from improvements in the Direct Fuel Injection, (optional) Start/ Stop feature, VarioCam Plus and Exhaust System.
Safety has not been overlooked with the basic level of braking benefiting from a 6 piston calliper at the front and 4 piston at the rear. All vented to support rapid cooling.
All Panameras are fitted with driving light assistant as standard, switching the lighting on at the sign of darkness.
Other safety features provided as standard include enhanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM). This enhances stability, even when the vehicle is being driven hard. Internal sensors continuously monitor the direction, speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration of the car. Using this when the car begins an oversteer or understeer selective braking is applied by the PSM to allow the driver to gain control.
PSM also comes in useful when there is low-grip or wet surfaces using the automatic brake differential (ABD), anti-slip regulation (ASR) and engine drag torque control (MSR).
Further safety aspects of the Panamera include the active bonnet system. This has been designed to consider pedestrian safety. If the sensors in the front apron/ bumper detect a collision the rear portion of the bonnet is automatically raised, which could reduce the risk of injury.
ParkAssist is fitted as standard to all Panamera’s however, an optional upgrade is the reversing camera, assisting with parking the Panamera.
This can be further enhanced with the Lane Change Assist which, when tuned on, can warn the driver of vehicles behind them or in their blind spot thus reducing the risk of an accident.
An optional extra is Adaptive Cruise Control, which, using a radar type feature, will monitor the speed of the vehicle ahead and adapt the Panamera’s speed to match it, leaving a safe braking distance. Although the ACC will slow the vehicle in the event the vehicle in front is slowing, if rapid deceleration is required then manual intervention is typically required.
Standard in the Turbos and an optional extra for all other Panamera is the Porsche Entry & Drive feature. Like the Aston has for a number of years, when the handle is touched the car polls to see if you are carrying the key which contains an encrypted access code. If confirmed the door unlocks. The engine is then started using the start/ stop button. The Panamera is locked by pressing the button which is mounted on the door handle.
With over 400l of storage space in the boot (the hybrid has approx 335-317 dependent if the full Bose sound system is installed), which provides a surprising amount of storage in such a sporty car. To maintain security, the boot can be covered by the retractable boot cover. Don’t forget about the split seats boosting the rear storage of the Panamera.
So does it work as a sports family or a family sports? Well if you’re looking top end, yes. Lovely looking, high performance, good economy, solid make. What more can you ask for?
More details, images and the ability to book a test drive can all be found at the Porsche site
Until next time, Be Lucky!
‘onest John
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