Porsche Panamera PDK 3.0 (A) First Drive Review
19 May 2017|24,947 views
What We Like
Sleek looks
Premium, comfortable and high-tech interior
Buttery smooth V6 engine
Handles better than a car its size should
Accomplished all-around
What We Dislike
Lacks the bragging rights of its more powerful siblings
Diving into the options list could see a significant spike in the car's price tag
We're guessing you've probably already read about the trip we took up to Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan to drive the new generation Panamera. Or, you may have read the more detailed first drive story on the Panamera 4S. Well, here's another variant for your reading pleasure. This here is the base-model Panamera. Different? Yes, slightly.
Under the bonnet sits a lovely 3.0-litre V6 engine that offers up buttery smooth acceleration
So what's different?
It's mainly the engine. This is the least powerful Panamera on offer, powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 325bhp and 450Nm of torque on tap. But don't let the phrase 'least powerful' fool you into thinking the car is slow. The engine is a lovely unit that pulls with buttery smoothness, coddling you to break the road speed limit with remarkable ease. For a car that weighs in at close to two tonnes, the Panamera never feels heavy or cumbersome.
Also, power from the engine gets sent through the new eight-speed PDK gearbox and on towards the rear-axle only. It's not as fast to 100km/h, and has a lower top speed compared to the 4S (264km/h versus 289km/h), but the upside is that the slightly reduced weight and rear-wheel drive setup (as opposed to four-wheel drive in the 4S) mean that the Panamera is lighter on fuel.
The car we drove was adorned in the 'Crayon' exterior colour, a unique and eye-catching paint choice
How about the car's equipment and specifications?
The thing is, it's somewhat tricky discussing equipment when it comes to Porsche. As we have pointed out, it's possible to spec the Panamera (and just about any other Porsche model) any way you want to, as long as your wallet permits. So, the point here is that while we can (and will) tell you about some of the equipment we experienced in this car, many of them don't come as standard on this base model.
First and foremost, the Crayon exterior colour. It is a somewhat eye-watering cost option, but it's a fantastic-looking colour. In the sun, it vacillates between glistening brightness and looming shadows. And most of all, it's unique and will certainly help you to stand out.
So what's different?
It's mainly the engine. This is the least powerful Panamera on offer, powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 325bhp and 450Nm of torque on tap. But don't let the phrase 'least powerful' fool you into thinking the car is slow. The engine is a lovely unit that pulls with buttery smoothness, coddling you to break the road speed limit with remarkable ease. For a car that weighs in at close to two tonnes, the Panamera never feels heavy or cumbersome.
Also, power from the engine gets sent through the new eight-speed PDK gearbox and on towards the rear-axle only. It's not as fast to 100km/h, and has a lower top speed compared to the 4S (264km/h versus 289km/h), but the upside is that the slightly reduced weight and rear-wheel drive setup (as opposed to four-wheel drive in the 4S) mean that the Panamera is lighter on fuel.
How about the car's equipment and specifications?
The thing is, it's somewhat tricky discussing equipment when it comes to Porsche. As we have pointed out, it's possible to spec the Panamera (and just about any other Porsche model) any way you want to, as long as your wallet permits. So, the point here is that while we can (and will) tell you about some of the equipment we experienced in this car, many of them don't come as standard on this base model.
First and foremost, the Crayon exterior colour. It is a somewhat eye-watering cost option, but it's a fantastic-looking colour. In the sun, it vacillates between glistening brightness and looming shadows. And most of all, it's unique and will certainly help you to stand out.
The car we drove was also fitted with the Sport Chrono Package - with it, you get a dial on the steering wheel (derived from the 918 Spyder) that allows you to quickly toggle between drive modes. You also get an additional 'Sport Plus' mode that sharpens everything up for a more spritely driving experience.
But regardless of how you spec out your Panamera, you can be assured of comfort, modernity and a sense of premium quality.
The Sport Chrono Package gives you an additional 'Sport Plus' chassis setting
So which Panamera do I buy?
Well, that really depends on what you want. For our (noticeably limited) money, we'd probably have this one. After all, the engine in this base Panamera is more than sufficient for daily commuting, and while the four-wheel drive system in the 4S proved fantastic on the windy roads in Taiwan, you could argue it's somewhat moot in Singapore.
Yes, this Panamera may be noticeably less eventful than its more powerful brethren, but it's a gentleman's cruiser - it puts the 'grand' in 'grand tourer'.
The Panamera is a sublime and sweet-driving grand tourer, regardless of which variant you choose
Granted, some people may want more. And more you certainly can get. If it's the full-blown Panamera experience you are after, cast your eyes at the Panamera Turbo instead. It's got more cylinders, more power, more gizmos, more everything. It even has an uber-futuristic three-part folding rear spoiler.
Truth is, you can't really go wrong with whichever variant you pick. This base Panemera serves as a highly accomplished skeleton on which you can add on whatever options you desire. Even in its most bare bones guise, it's truly hard to find fault with this car.
But regardless of how you spec out your Panamera, you can be assured of comfort, modernity and a sense of premium quality.
So which Panamera do I buy?
Well, that really depends on what you want. For our (noticeably limited) money, we'd probably have this one. After all, the engine in this base Panamera is more than sufficient for daily commuting, and while the four-wheel drive system in the 4S proved fantastic on the windy roads in Taiwan, you could argue it's somewhat moot in Singapore.
Yes, this Panamera may be noticeably less eventful than its more powerful brethren, but it's a gentleman's cruiser - it puts the 'grand' in 'grand tourer'.
Granted, some people may want more. And more you certainly can get. If it's the full-blown Panamera experience you are after, cast your eyes at the Panamera Turbo instead. It's got more cylinders, more power, more gizmos, more everything. It even has an uber-futuristic three-part folding rear spoiler.
Truth is, you can't really go wrong with whichever variant you pick. This base Panemera serves as a highly accomplished skeleton on which you can add on whatever options you desire. Even in its most bare bones guise, it's truly hard to find fault with this car.
What We Like
Sleek looks
Premium, comfortable and high-tech interior
Buttery smooth V6 engine
Handles better than a car its size should
Accomplished all-around
What We Dislike
Lacks the bragging rights of its more powerful siblings
Diving into the options list could see a significant spike in the car's price tag
We're guessing you've probably already read about the trip we took up to Sun Moon Lake in Taiwan to drive the new generation Panamera. Or, you may have read the more detailed first drive story on the Panamera 4S. Well, here's another variant for your reading pleasure. This here is the base-model Panamera. Different? Yes, slightly.
So what's different?
It's mainly the engine. This is the least powerful Panamera on offer, powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 325bhp and 450Nm of torque on tap. But don't let the phrase 'least powerful' fool you into thinking the car is slow. The engine is a lovely unit that pulls with buttery smoothness, coddling you to break the road speed limit with remarkable ease. For a car that weighs in at close to two tonnes, the Panamera never feels heavy or cumbersome.
Also, power from the engine gets sent through the new eight-speed PDK gearbox and on towards the rear-axle only. It's not as fast to 100km/h, and has a lower top speed compared to the 4S (264km/h versus 289km/h), but the upside is that the slightly reduced weight and rear-wheel drive setup (as opposed to four-wheel drive in the 4S) mean that the Panamera is lighter on fuel.
How about the car's equipment and specifications?
The thing is, it's somewhat tricky discussing equipment when it comes to Porsche. As we have pointed out, it's possible to spec the Panamera (and just about any other Porsche model) any way you want to, as long as your wallet permits. So, the point here is that while we can (and will) tell you about some of the equipment we experienced in this car, many of them don't come as standard on this base model.
First and foremost, the Crayon exterior colour. It is a somewhat eye-watering cost option, but it's a fantastic-looking colour. In the sun, it vacillates between glistening brightness and looming shadows. And most of all, it's unique and will certainly help you to stand out.
So what's different?
It's mainly the engine. This is the least powerful Panamera on offer, powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 325bhp and 450Nm of torque on tap. But don't let the phrase 'least powerful' fool you into thinking the car is slow. The engine is a lovely unit that pulls with buttery smoothness, coddling you to break the road speed limit with remarkable ease. For a car that weighs in at close to two tonnes, the Panamera never feels heavy or cumbersome.
Also, power from the engine gets sent through the new eight-speed PDK gearbox and on towards the rear-axle only. It's not as fast to 100km/h, and has a lower top speed compared to the 4S (264km/h versus 289km/h), but the upside is that the slightly reduced weight and rear-wheel drive setup (as opposed to four-wheel drive in the 4S) mean that the Panamera is lighter on fuel.
How about the car's equipment and specifications?
The thing is, it's somewhat tricky discussing equipment when it comes to Porsche. As we have pointed out, it's possible to spec the Panamera (and just about any other Porsche model) any way you want to, as long as your wallet permits. So, the point here is that while we can (and will) tell you about some of the equipment we experienced in this car, many of them don't come as standard on this base model.
First and foremost, the Crayon exterior colour. It is a somewhat eye-watering cost option, but it's a fantastic-looking colour. In the sun, it vacillates between glistening brightness and looming shadows. And most of all, it's unique and will certainly help you to stand out.
The car we drove was also fitted with the Sport Chrono Package - with it, you get a dial on the steering wheel (derived from the 918 Spyder) that allows you to quickly toggle between drive modes. You also get an additional 'Sport Plus' mode that sharpens everything up for a more spritely driving experience.
But regardless of how you spec out your Panamera, you can be assured of comfort, modernity and a sense of premium quality.
So which Panamera do I buy?
Well, that really depends on what you want. For our (noticeably limited) money, we'd probably have this one. After all, the engine in this base Panamera is more than sufficient for daily commuting, and while the four-wheel drive system in the 4S proved fantastic on the windy roads in Taiwan, you could argue it's somewhat moot in Singapore.
Yes, this Panamera may be noticeably less eventful than its more powerful brethren, but it's a gentleman's cruiser - it puts the 'grand' in 'grand tourer'.
Granted, some people may want more. And more you certainly can get. If it's the full-blown Panamera experience you are after, cast your eyes at the Panamera Turbo instead. It's got more cylinders, more power, more gizmos, more everything. It even has an uber-futuristic three-part folding rear spoiler.
Truth is, you can't really go wrong with whichever variant you pick. This base Panemera serves as a highly accomplished skeleton on which you can add on whatever options you desire. Even in its most bare bones guise, it's truly hard to find fault with this car.
But regardless of how you spec out your Panamera, you can be assured of comfort, modernity and a sense of premium quality.
So which Panamera do I buy?
Well, that really depends on what you want. For our (noticeably limited) money, we'd probably have this one. After all, the engine in this base Panamera is more than sufficient for daily commuting, and while the four-wheel drive system in the 4S proved fantastic on the windy roads in Taiwan, you could argue it's somewhat moot in Singapore.
Yes, this Panamera may be noticeably less eventful than its more powerful brethren, but it's a gentleman's cruiser - it puts the 'grand' in 'grand tourer'.
Granted, some people may want more. And more you certainly can get. If it's the full-blown Panamera experience you are after, cast your eyes at the Panamera Turbo instead. It's got more cylinders, more power, more gizmos, more everything. It even has an uber-futuristic three-part folding rear spoiler.
Truth is, you can't really go wrong with whichever variant you pick. This base Panemera serves as a highly accomplished skeleton on which you can add on whatever options you desire. Even in its most bare bones guise, it's truly hard to find fault with this car.
Car Information
Porsche Panamera
CAT B|Petrol|13.1km/L
Horsepower
246kW (330 bhp)
Torque
450 Nm
Acceleration
5.7sec (0-100km /hr)
Thank You For Your Subscription.
