Porsche Panamera S PDK (A) Facelift Review
14 Oct 2013|20,039 views
Those who have been making fun of the Porsche Panamera with their 911-stretched-limo jokes may just have to eat their words. While the first Panamera was launched in 2009 here, it was a blasphemy for Porsche fans, even though it was considered to be the long-awaited fruit of Porsche's 989 concept car from the late 1980s.
But the car didn't fail here, proving to be a popular car in a country where sedans are more generally more favoured.
The Porsche Panamera is best viewed from the side
Four years later, the facelifted version has arrived and, lo and behold, it has been downsized (ah yes, the most used word in the industry now). But is it for better or worse?
Up close and Personal
There are some appearance updates, both front and back, that differentiate the current model to the previous one. Tighter and more prominent lines, redesigned headlights and larger air intakes to better cool the engine now dominate the car's front, giving the Panamera a much needed refreshed look.
While it takes more than just a keen eye to spot the changes in front, changes to the rear are slightly more obvious. The rear windscreen has been widened while the wider spoiler and redesigned taillights have been installed for a sportier character. More notably, the rear license plate now receives a lower mounting position.
But the car didn't fail here, proving to be a popular car in a country where sedans are more generally more favoured.
Four years later, the facelifted version has arrived and, lo and behold, it has been downsized (ah yes, the most used word in the industry now). But is it for better or worse?
Up close and Personal
There are some appearance updates, both front and back, that differentiate the current model to the previous one. Tighter and more prominent lines, redesigned headlights and larger air intakes to better cool the engine now dominate the car's front, giving the Panamera a much needed refreshed look.
While it takes more than just a keen eye to spot the changes in front, changes to the rear are slightly more obvious. The rear windscreen has been widened while the wider spoiler and redesigned taillights have been installed for a sportier character. More notably, the rear license plate now receives a lower mounting position.
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Just like its sheet metal, the well-tailored cabin carries forward the upscale feel, with a top notch fit and finish and impeccable attention to details - something you would expect from the Marque from Stuttgart.
Nothing falls short in here, not even space for all four occupants. Despite having a swooping roofline, there's ample head and legroom in all four seating positions, thanks to a lower seating position and an increment of 12cm of foot area.
The fact that the Panamera S has a reasonable 445 litres of boot space and an amazing 1,263 litres of capacity with the rear seats folded also means that the car is just as, or even more, practical than your average luxury saloon.
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Drivetrain
This latest model now has a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 powerplant where the 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V8 used to be. But don’t let that put you off though, because this is another belt-tightening affair that easily eclipses the figures of its predecessor.
The car now delivers a maximum output of 420bhp and 520Nm of torque - 20 horses and 20Nm of torque more than the previous model. Thus, the car hurtles through the century sprint in just 5.1 seconds.
Who said V6 engines cannot outdo V8 powerplants?
Impressively, as always, this feat is achieved without compromising on its fuel consumption. In fact, it boasts 18 percent improvement in fuel economy over the preceding V8.
On the go, the Panamera S is stupendously amazing. With all that torque available from just 1,750rpm, the car picks up speed swiftly and smoothly without a sign of roll while the high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport keeps a grip on the road surface. The fact that the Panamera S is equipped with the silky and lightning-quick seven-speed PDK auto box helps in this aspect too.
This latest model now has a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 powerplant where the 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V8 used to be. But don’t let that put you off though, because this is another belt-tightening affair that easily eclipses the figures of its predecessor.
The car now delivers a maximum output of 420bhp and 520Nm of torque - 20 horses and 20Nm of torque more than the previous model. Thus, the car hurtles through the century sprint in just 5.1 seconds.
Impressively, as always, this feat is achieved without compromising on its fuel consumption. In fact, it boasts 18 percent improvement in fuel economy over the preceding V8.
On the go, the Panamera S is stupendously amazing. With all that torque available from just 1,750rpm, the car picks up speed swiftly and smoothly without a sign of roll while the high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport keeps a grip on the road surface. The fact that the Panamera S is equipped with the silky and lightning-quick seven-speed PDK auto box helps in this aspect too.
The big Porsche carves corners with steady mannerisms too. While it's obviously clumsier than its two-door siblings, the car simply goes in clean. For a four-door car weighing some 1.8 tonnes, it certainly makes light of its mass.
Conclusion
The new V6 engine in the Panamera S ticks all the right boxes. It feels impeccably well-honed for the job, even if it lacks the throaty rumbling characteristic of the V8.
Practicality is not compromised in this car
The fact that it improves the performance and fuel economy makes it a very close-to-perfect car, with just enough comfort and functionality to perform as a daily driver.
Conclusion
The new V6 engine in the Panamera S ticks all the right boxes. It feels impeccably well-honed for the job, even if it lacks the throaty rumbling characteristic of the V8.
The fact that it improves the performance and fuel economy makes it a very close-to-perfect car, with just enough comfort and functionality to perform as a daily driver.
Those who have been making fun of the Porsche Panamera with their 911-stretched-limo jokes may just have to eat their words. While the first Panamera was launched in 2009 here, it was a blasphemy for Porsche fans, even though it was considered to be the long-awaited fruit of Porsche's 989 concept car from the late 1980s.
But the car didn't fail here, proving to be a popular car in a country where sedans are more generally more favoured.
Four years later, the facelifted version has arrived and, lo and behold, it has been downsized (ah yes, the most used word in the industry now). But is it for better or worse?
Up close and Personal
There are some appearance updates, both front and back, that differentiate the current model to the previous one. Tighter and more prominent lines, redesigned headlights and larger air intakes to better cool the engine now dominate the car's front, giving the Panamera a much needed refreshed look.
While it takes more than just a keen eye to spot the changes in front, changes to the rear are slightly more obvious. The rear windscreen has been widened while the wider spoiler and redesigned taillights have been installed for a sportier character. More notably, the rear license plate now receives a lower mounting position.
But the car didn't fail here, proving to be a popular car in a country where sedans are more generally more favoured.
Four years later, the facelifted version has arrived and, lo and behold, it has been downsized (ah yes, the most used word in the industry now). But is it for better or worse?
Up close and Personal
There are some appearance updates, both front and back, that differentiate the current model to the previous one. Tighter and more prominent lines, redesigned headlights and larger air intakes to better cool the engine now dominate the car's front, giving the Panamera a much needed refreshed look.
While it takes more than just a keen eye to spot the changes in front, changes to the rear are slightly more obvious. The rear windscreen has been widened while the wider spoiler and redesigned taillights have been installed for a sportier character. More notably, the rear license plate now receives a lower mounting position.
Just like its sheet metal, the well-tailored cabin carries forward the upscale feel, with a top notch fit and finish and impeccable attention to details - something you would expect from the Marque from Stuttgart.
Nothing falls short in here, not even space for all four occupants. Despite having a swooping roofline, there's ample head and legroom in all four seating positions, thanks to a lower seating position and an increment of 12cm of foot area.
The fact that the Panamera S has a reasonable 445 litres of boot space and an amazing 1,263 litres of capacity with the rear seats folded also means that the car is just as, or even more, practical than your average luxury saloon.
Nothing falls short in here, not even space for all four occupants. Despite having a swooping roofline, there's ample head and legroom in all four seating positions, thanks to a lower seating position and an increment of 12cm of foot area.
The fact that the Panamera S has a reasonable 445 litres of boot space and an amazing 1,263 litres of capacity with the rear seats folded also means that the car is just as, or even more, practical than your average luxury saloon.
Drivetrain
This latest model now has a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 powerplant where the 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V8 used to be. But don’t let that put you off though, because this is another belt-tightening affair that easily eclipses the figures of its predecessor.
The car now delivers a maximum output of 420bhp and 520Nm of torque - 20 horses and 20Nm of torque more than the previous model. Thus, the car hurtles through the century sprint in just 5.1 seconds.
Impressively, as always, this feat is achieved without compromising on its fuel consumption. In fact, it boasts 18 percent improvement in fuel economy over the preceding V8.
On the go, the Panamera S is stupendously amazing. With all that torque available from just 1,750rpm, the car picks up speed swiftly and smoothly without a sign of roll while the high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport keeps a grip on the road surface. The fact that the Panamera S is equipped with the silky and lightning-quick seven-speed PDK auto box helps in this aspect too.
This latest model now has a 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 powerplant where the 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V8 used to be. But don’t let that put you off though, because this is another belt-tightening affair that easily eclipses the figures of its predecessor.
The car now delivers a maximum output of 420bhp and 520Nm of torque - 20 horses and 20Nm of torque more than the previous model. Thus, the car hurtles through the century sprint in just 5.1 seconds.
Impressively, as always, this feat is achieved without compromising on its fuel consumption. In fact, it boasts 18 percent improvement in fuel economy over the preceding V8.
On the go, the Panamera S is stupendously amazing. With all that torque available from just 1,750rpm, the car picks up speed swiftly and smoothly without a sign of roll while the high-performance Michelin Pilot Super Sport keeps a grip on the road surface. The fact that the Panamera S is equipped with the silky and lightning-quick seven-speed PDK auto box helps in this aspect too.
The big Porsche carves corners with steady mannerisms too. While it's obviously clumsier than its two-door siblings, the car simply goes in clean. For a four-door car weighing some 1.8 tonnes, it certainly makes light of its mass.
Conclusion
The new V6 engine in the Panamera S ticks all the right boxes. It feels impeccably well-honed for the job, even if it lacks the throaty rumbling characteristic of the V8.
The fact that it improves the performance and fuel economy makes it a very close-to-perfect car, with just enough comfort and functionality to perform as a daily driver.
Conclusion
The new V6 engine in the Panamera S ticks all the right boxes. It feels impeccably well-honed for the job, even if it lacks the throaty rumbling characteristic of the V8.
The fact that it improves the performance and fuel economy makes it a very close-to-perfect car, with just enough comfort and functionality to perform as a daily driver.
Photos by Julian Kho
Car Information
Porsche Panamera S PDK 3.0 (A)
CAT B|Petrol|11.5km/L
Horsepower
313kW (420 bhp)
Torque
520 Nm
Acceleration
5.1sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
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