At the NY Auto Show I went to the Porsche PCNA morning preview and the Porsche reps, not the models said that the M.O. is to have one at the end of the 2nd year of a new car. However my feeling is that it will be middle of 19' as so many cars were delayed this year because of CARB.

 

According to Porsche NA, 20% of the new sales are Sport Turismo.

 

Wait seriously? That surprises me on so many levels. I am pleased hearing that but I am still surprised.

 

Owned multiple Panameras including 'a 15 Turbo S and if you drive an E63S Wagon it's not a lesser car in any way to the Panny except in dollars paid.

 

 

I looked at the E63S--both the sedan and he wagon. I also looked at the equivalent Audi RSs and thought, for a fleeting moment, about BMW. These are my thoughts on why Porsche on a performance-equality basis can charge such a premium... Notwithstanding the fact that the closest I could get to test driving an E63S was an E300(!), all three other Germans make cars (duh, I know, but hang on...). Porsche, on the other hand, makes SPORTS cars--at least, that's what they're selling. Whereas the RSs, AMGs and M cars are specialist sport models, niche models, if you will, performance cars are Porsche's stock-in-trade. To compare a Panamera to an E63S works on a power level only. Sure, some might say the others handle just as well but holistically, Panameras are a breed apart. Of course, we all know there's a big difference between a base Panamera and a Turbo. But no Panamera is a $50K base car with a massive engine crammed in it. Look at it this way: take a $50K car... that's an extra $70-$80K to turn it into the E63s. Never mind the fact that as we all know only 1% (if) could tell the difference. But a Porsche? There's simply nothing mass about it. That's why they can charge the premium. If you don't care about the image, the aura and, as it is Porsche's stock-in-trade, the extra quality associated with building a performance machine rather than a specced up one then of course the RS, the AMGs or the Ms are the better value. I've looked at them all. I'm not insensitive to the price delta. But I'm still getting the Porsche. The market speaks. I am clearly not alone.

 

Actually, Porsche is primarily a SUV maker now. Sports cars are just the side business. The Panamera is a Sedan/Station Wagon that has sporty characteristics. The Porsche is more upscale than the Mercedes though. Both are great cars, but Mercedes is past their prime, in terms of mass produced cars.

 

@andial, I am sure that management at Porsche North America is salivating about your comments.

And I agree wholeheartedly, MB is of the past, Porsche has the edge.

 

I don't completely disagree but I think the characterization is wrong. Sports cars are P's side business in the same way racing is Ferrari's side business. It's their raison d'etre. Their passion, the heart of what they want to do. I think it's great that P has had such success in SUVs if it means they can continue to build their sports cars and it doesn't diminish what I think of the brand.

 

To @Andial ... all production automobile manufacturers that do any kind of sales business in North America are SUV makers.

 

Agreed. I'm sure heard about Ford. My only cars for the last 9 years were a Q5 and a GL450 that has 99,200 miles on it. In fact, the major massive reason I didn't own anything lower was because I was convinced the roads on which I drive would just destroy anything that's not an SUV. It was only recently when I drove a base but new E300 loaner that I finally convinced myself that a sedan or sports car was actually a viable option. I test drove the 4S and the Turbo back-to-back FOUR times. The first drive I didn't do anything but drive from the dealer to my home and, yup, aimed the car at EVERY pothole I know of. Let me state unequivocally that the Panny's air suspension is a thing of marvel. In any event, the market is speaking. The traditional 3-box concept is essentially dead.

 

PCNA knows they need four doors to support their sports cars. The Cayenne saved Porsche.

 

Jerry Seinfeld also DDs a Panamera sedan in Manhattan along w/ a Cadillac Escalade. I do think it is important that Porsche has maintained the 911 as their halo car and allowing its ethos to flow to daily usage in the form of the Macan, Panamera, and Cayenne.

 

 

Pretty impressive she still drives herself. The Bentayga is very capable. A friend who is a Bentley dealer drives one as a personal car. Is the Cullinan next on the list?