What We Like
It's such a beauty
Handles well on the track despite its sizeable proportions
Cabin is a work of art
Chatty steering
What We Dislike
Measuring longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, the new second generation Porsche Panamera has grown bigger all around. As such, weighing some 25kg heavier than the previous model makes absolute sense.
However, instead of having a similar 4.8-litre V8 engine to power the limousine, the car now sports a smaller 4.0-litre V8 underneath the bonnet. To the casual observers and the traditionalists, this may seem like a joke, but not to Porsche.
Small and powerful
Despite the smaller displacement capacity, the new Panamera manages to dish out significantly higher figures from the word go - 542bhp and 770Nm of torque to be exact. Having a smaller engine also translates to a smaller carbon footprint as well as naturally improved fuel economy, although we suspect drivers of the Turbo variant that you see here wouldn't really give two hoots about the fuel consumption.
What's more relevant to these drivers, we reckon, is the predictably brisk 3.8-second century sprint timing, which the Panamera Turbo is easily capable of. Undoubtedly, while the top speed of 306km/h is irrelevant in Singapore, it's always good to know that the car you're piloting has the kind of lungs that will never give you the feeling that it's out of breath, especially so when you're handling it on the race track, as what we did with the Panamera Turbo.
What's the car like on the track?
It's more than just a basic leap of being nicer-looking and having more technology crammed into it compared to its predecessor. The new Panamera, with all its changes inside and out, is a lot better to drive. Perhaps more so after we had the chance to push it hard round Sepang International Circuit to fully understand the kind of deftness the car has without forgetting its relatively large dimensions.
The level of involvement now is certainly compelling. The steering is as well-weighted as before but you get the sense there is an improvement in its precision that helps to instil confidence while you're carving sweeping corners or tackling hairpin bends without losing its brisk pace.
As such, with all its bravado and power, the Panamera Turbo is more than just your straight-line locomotive. It's every bit as how a Porsche should handle - agile, planted and dynamic.
Does it look every bit as how a Porsche should, too?
The Panamera will never be able to mask its size or its heft when it's placed beside a 911. But Porsche's designers and engineers have done well to make sure that this second generation limo bridges that gap.
However, instead of having a similar 4.8-litre V8 engine to power the limousine, the car now sports a smaller 4.0-litre V8 underneath the bonnet. To the casual observers and the traditionalists, this may seem like a joke, but not to Porsche.
Small and powerful
Despite the smaller displacement capacity, the new Panamera manages to dish out significantly higher figures from the word go - 542bhp and 770Nm of torque to be exact. Having a smaller engine also translates to a smaller carbon footprint as well as naturally improved fuel economy, although we suspect drivers of the Turbo variant that you see here wouldn't really give two hoots about the fuel consumption.
What's more relevant to these drivers, we reckon, is the predictably brisk 3.8-second century sprint timing, which the Panamera Turbo is easily capable of. Undoubtedly, while the top speed of 306km/h is irrelevant in Singapore, it's always good to know that the car you're piloting has the kind of lungs that will never give you the feeling that it's out of breath, especially so when you're handling it on the race track, as what we did with the Panamera Turbo.
What's the car like on the track?
It's more than just a basic leap of being nicer-looking and having more technology crammed into it compared to its predecessor. The new Panamera, with all its changes inside and out, is a lot better to drive. Perhaps more so after we had the chance to push it hard round Sepang International Circuit to fully understand the kind of deftness the car has without forgetting its relatively large dimensions.
The level of involvement now is certainly compelling. The steering is as well-weighted as before but you get the sense there is an improvement in its precision that helps to instil confidence while you're carving sweeping corners or tackling hairpin bends without losing its brisk pace.
As such, with all its bravado and power, the Panamera Turbo is more than just your straight-line locomotive. It's every bit as how a Porsche should handle - agile, planted and dynamic.
Does it look every bit as how a Porsche should, too?
The Panamera will never be able to mask its size or its heft when it's placed beside a 911. But Porsche's designers and engineers have done well to make sure that this second generation limo bridges that gap.
While the previous generation Panamera wasn't going to win a medal in the beauty contest, the same cannot be said for the new model. With its stunning proportions, cohesive curves and magnificent-looking rear, the limo no longer looks like a butt-heavy Jennifer Lopez. Instead, it has trimmed off the necessary mass and roofline to look like an enlarged version of the graceful-looking 911.
Just as elegant as the outside is the inside…
The moment you drop into the driver's seat, you get the intriguing feeling of how special the Panamera really is. From the updated gear lever and the classy black gloss centre console to the soft-touch surfaces and cushy yet hugging seats, the car reminds you just how class-leading it really is in its segment.
Speaking of classy, you now get sophisticated gloss black touch-sensitive surface on the centre console, with just a few essentials such as the air-conditioning controls, driving mode, ESC button and damper settings labelled on it. Everything else can be controlled via the huge 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Space wise, the car will fit four with absolute comfort despite its lowered roofline of 20mm and will easily haul your weekly barang barang with the generous 430 litres of boot space.
Dramatic transformation warrants attention
You could almost sense the fact that Porsche was getting tired of people bad-mouthing the Panamera's radical looks. But the brand has somehow channelled all those criticisms into a positive place and transformed its 2+2 grand tourer into one of the prettiest, if not the most attractive, without losing its place as the most capable sports saloon in the market.
Not to mention, the upgrades in terms of technology and refinement make the Panamera a very sensible thing to put your money on. It's that one car you can travel up to the track with and push it to its limits, and still manage to take a slow drive home after you're done.
Just as elegant as the outside is the inside…
The moment you drop into the driver's seat, you get the intriguing feeling of how special the Panamera really is. From the updated gear lever and the classy black gloss centre console to the soft-touch surfaces and cushy yet hugging seats, the car reminds you just how class-leading it really is in its segment.
Speaking of classy, you now get sophisticated gloss black touch-sensitive surface on the centre console, with just a few essentials such as the air-conditioning controls, driving mode, ESC button and damper settings labelled on it. Everything else can be controlled via the huge 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Space wise, the car will fit four with absolute comfort despite its lowered roofline of 20mm and will easily haul your weekly barang barang with the generous 430 litres of boot space.
Dramatic transformation warrants attention
You could almost sense the fact that Porsche was getting tired of people bad-mouthing the Panamera's radical looks. But the brand has somehow channelled all those criticisms into a positive place and transformed its 2+2 grand tourer into one of the prettiest, if not the most attractive, without losing its place as the most capable sports saloon in the market.
Not to mention, the upgrades in terms of technology and refinement make the Panamera a very sensible thing to put your money on. It's that one car you can travel up to the track with and push it to its limits, and still manage to take a slow drive home after you're done.
