It all started with the 356 in 1948 but it was really the 911 which pushed the Stuttgart-based car maker into the limelight. Since the inception of the 911 in 1963, the keen drivers have taken well to this rear-engined sports car with its distinctive design despite its challengingly unique handling characteristics.
Along the way, Porsche built other sports car models such as the 924, 928 and 944 but none was as successful as the 911. In fact, having undergone continuous development throughout these years, the 911 has become much more user-friendly than before to drive, whilst staying true to its basic concept throughout its evolution.
When Porsche announced that they were going to produce the Cayenne SUV, many fans bemoaned at the thought, claiming that it wasn't a true Porsche and that the car company is selling out. They were very quickly silenced when the Cayenne performed brilliantly, both in terms of its handling and performance (for a SUV, that is) as well as its global sales.
Porsche is doing it once again with the Panamera. Conceived and designed as a four-door Grand Tourer from ground up by a company that has never had a four-door Porsche in its entire history, it promises excellent driving dynamics, a spacious cabin for four and a level of comfort befitting a Gran Turismo.
The V8-engined variants, both turbocharged and naturally aspirated, were launched last September and they will soon be joined by the V6 version, along with a hybrid as well as a diesel in a few months' time.
Along the way, Porsche built other sports car models such as the 924, 928 and 944 but none was as successful as the 911. In fact, having undergone continuous development throughout these years, the 911 has become much more user-friendly than before to drive, whilst staying true to its basic concept throughout its evolution.
When Porsche announced that they were going to produce the Cayenne SUV, many fans bemoaned at the thought, claiming that it wasn't a true Porsche and that the car company is selling out. They were very quickly silenced when the Cayenne performed brilliantly, both in terms of its handling and performance (for a SUV, that is) as well as its global sales.
Porsche is doing it once again with the Panamera. Conceived and designed as a four-door Grand Tourer from ground up by a company that has never had a four-door Porsche in its entire history, it promises excellent driving dynamics, a spacious cabin for four and a level of comfort befitting a Gran Turismo.
The V8-engined variants, both turbocharged and naturally aspirated, were launched last September and they will soon be joined by the V6 version, along with a hybrid as well as a diesel in a few months' time.
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If you think the Panamera looks ungainly and disproportionate in pictures, you would not think otherwise when you see the car in the metal. Fortunately, the redeeming bit about its styling is that it will grow on you over time. But then again, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who find the car aesthetically pleasing.
One may say that Porsche is carrying things too far by enforcing the design philosophy of the 911 onto a four-door saloon, resulting in the Panamera having a exterior best described as a stretched 911 with four doors. Well, at least the car has a truly unique exterior, instead of the ubiquitous three-box design for sedans.
Measuring 4,970mm long, 1,931mm wide and only 1,418mm tall, the Panamera stands out from its rivals - primarily the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class - by being noticeably wider and lower.
With the contoured front wings flanking the flat bonnet, coupled with the swept-back headlights and the air intakes in the front bumpers, the front end is immediately recognisable as a Porsche.
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Other familiar Porsche styling cues include the muscular rear haunches, the sweeping coupe-like roofline and the tapering rear window.
Interior
What immediately captures your attention in the luxuriously appointed cabin of this four-door four-seater is the continuous centre console that extends from the dashboard to the rear, effectively dividing the interior into four individual spaces for the driver and passengers.
Despite what its low-slung exterior dimensions might suggest, the space within is actually very roomy, almost commodious - thanks to a 2,920mm wheelbase and low-mounted seats. Each occupant gets to indulge in his own sculpted seat upholstered in plush leather complete with plenty of space. Even for extended journeys, six-footers will have no qualms going into the rear.
Drivers familiar with the 911 will not feel out of place in the Panamera, for the instrumentations and controls are lifted from the sports coupe. What is truly new is the centre console - which resembles a Vertu mobile phone with its angled buttons and design elements - that rises to meet the dash, and this is clearly inspired by the discontinued Carrera GT super car.
Opening the tailgate reveals a compartment that can offer 445 litres of luggage space, and it increases to 1,263 litres with the rear seats folded down. In our Panamera 4S, the capacity is down by 13 litres for both scenarios as the boot contains the subwoofer of the optional BOSE audio system.
Interior
What immediately captures your attention in the luxuriously appointed cabin of this four-door four-seater is the continuous centre console that extends from the dashboard to the rear, effectively dividing the interior into four individual spaces for the driver and passengers.
Despite what its low-slung exterior dimensions might suggest, the space within is actually very roomy, almost commodious - thanks to a 2,920mm wheelbase and low-mounted seats. Each occupant gets to indulge in his own sculpted seat upholstered in plush leather complete with plenty of space. Even for extended journeys, six-footers will have no qualms going into the rear.
Drivers familiar with the 911 will not feel out of place in the Panamera, for the instrumentations and controls are lifted from the sports coupe. What is truly new is the centre console - which resembles a Vertu mobile phone with its angled buttons and design elements - that rises to meet the dash, and this is clearly inspired by the discontinued Carrera GT super car.
Opening the tailgate reveals a compartment that can offer 445 litres of luggage space, and it increases to 1,263 litres with the rear seats folded down. In our Panamera 4S, the capacity is down by 13 litres for both scenarios as the boot contains the subwoofer of the optional BOSE audio system.
Driving impressions
The Panamera 4S comes with a naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 engine with direct fuel injection that transmits 400bhp and 500Nm (produced at 6,500rpm and 3,500 to 5,000rpm respectively) to all four wheels via the active Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system. On our test car, the transmission of choice is the by-now familiar 7-speed PDK transmission.
Acceleration from rest to 100km/h takes 5 seconds flat - 4.8 seconds if you use the Launch Control feature in the optional Sport Chrono Package. For a luxo-barge that weighs almost 1.9 tonnes, it's certainly no slouch. And the glorious V8 roar makes its presence heard at the upper reach of the rev range.
In terms of handling, it behaves like it's an enlarged 911. Though not as sharp as the 911's, the steering is accurate and communicative. Despite not having the PASM adjustable dampers, the optional adaptive air suspension on the test car is more than capable of taking what the road can throw at it, while keeping the body movement in check.
As befit a Porsche, the braking performance is nothing short of impressive, thanks to the six-piston front callipers and four-piston rear callipers grabbing brakes discs measuring 360mm at the front and 330mm at the rear.
The Panamera 4S comes with a naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 engine with direct fuel injection that transmits 400bhp and 500Nm (produced at 6,500rpm and 3,500 to 5,000rpm respectively) to all four wheels via the active Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system. On our test car, the transmission of choice is the by-now familiar 7-speed PDK transmission.
Acceleration from rest to 100km/h takes 5 seconds flat - 4.8 seconds if you use the Launch Control feature in the optional Sport Chrono Package. For a luxo-barge that weighs almost 1.9 tonnes, it's certainly no slouch. And the glorious V8 roar makes its presence heard at the upper reach of the rev range.
In terms of handling, it behaves like it's an enlarged 911. Though not as sharp as the 911's, the steering is accurate and communicative. Despite not having the PASM adjustable dampers, the optional adaptive air suspension on the test car is more than capable of taking what the road can throw at it, while keeping the body movement in check.
As befit a Porsche, the braking performance is nothing short of impressive, thanks to the six-piston front callipers and four-piston rear callipers grabbing brakes discs measuring 360mm at the front and 330mm at the rear.
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Conclusion
The recent developments in the COE premiums have seen prices of cars going up correspondingly, but Porsche has maintained the base prices of their cars (although with the COE element capped at a pre-determined level - if the actual COE price is higher, the buyer will have to top up the difference).
For the PDK-equipped Panamera 4S, it is at a not inconsiderable $438,888. Add in the nearly $87k worth of options on our test car and the price of the car escalates to just over $525k.
It may have a hefty price tag, but it is still a true Porsche that has the performance and handling similar to that of its legendary 911 sibling. Its class rivals may be more spacious, comfortable, practical and luxurious but none of them can make you want to get behind the wheel and drive the car hard like a Panamera can.
The recent developments in the COE premiums have seen prices of cars going up correspondingly, but Porsche has maintained the base prices of their cars (although with the COE element capped at a pre-determined level - if the actual COE price is higher, the buyer will have to top up the difference).
For the PDK-equipped Panamera 4S, it is at a not inconsiderable $438,888. Add in the nearly $87k worth of options on our test car and the price of the car escalates to just over $525k.
It may have a hefty price tag, but it is still a true Porsche that has the performance and handling similar to that of its legendary 911 sibling. Its class rivals may be more spacious, comfortable, practical and luxurious but none of them can make you want to get behind the wheel and drive the car hard like a Panamera can.
