richc

http://thewheeldeal.blogs.fortune.cn...anamera-turbo/

A new Porsche is a big deal, and an all-new Porsche — especially one with four doors and a hatchback — is practically an historic event.

So I invited three car-savvy acquaintances — a pair of BMW owners and the proud possessor of an Audi S4 — to help me evaluate the Panamera Turbo.

They loved the car. But they wondered, as did I, what you do with a 4,300-pound vehicle that purportedly has a top speed of 188 miles per hour and carries a sticker price of $145,000?

Commuting between Munich and Stuttgart on the speed-limitless autobahn is one thing; dodging state troopers on the Taconic Parkway in New York is quite another.

At least we demonstrated the practicality of the Panamera. This is an unfussy car you can drive every day, as long as you can find a place to safely park it.

The car seats four adults comfortably, as advertised. All-wheel-drive means it doesn’t have to sit in the garage on snowy days. And aside from the ignition switch in its traditional spot on the left side of the steering wheel, the controls are straight-forward and glitch-free. My three German car-owners felt right at home.

From the curb, the Panamera appears a bit awkward. Style is subjective, but the front end looked uncomfortably reminiscent of sportier Porsches and the flanks excessively busy. The fast-back rear end, however, is refined and sophisticated — reminiscent of Jaguar’s XK-E coupes.

The one surprise is the size of the Panamera. It is longer and wider than a Mercedes CLS — probably its closest competitor — so care is needed in tight spaces, and the backup camera comes in handy when parking.

All that mass becomes apparent on the highway, where the Panamera feels quiet, solid, and very, very fast but in no sense like a sports car. It will get you where you want to go, but without the buzz you feel in, say, a 911convertible.

From the driver’s seat, you feel a sense of power. The Panamera turns heads and responds to every directional input. One driver commented on the fast tip-in of the accelerator that made the Panamera feel even quicker; another reflected on the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you can pass anything at almost any time.

Porsche plans to make 20,000 Panameras annually, with one third of them making their way to the U.S. Exactly how customers react at a time when the economy is still wobbly and trophy possessions are allegedly out of favor will be interesting to watch.

As for my test-drive trio, they all applauded Porsche for its achievement but were happy to return to the lesser technical and financial challenges of their respective vehicles. Cohabitating with a Panamera requires a bigger commitment than they were ready to make.

Malakas

Very nicely said.

I, too, was impressed with the Pan Turbo - but would probably consider other cars in the class, especially with the Turbo's price point being so high.

Targa Tim

Very nice review.

I will not buy a Pana turbo due to its price, as I will have two 911 variants in my garage next year for sport driving.

May consider a V6 version for my wife if she wants one.

Cpa4S

i am very close to swapping out the GTS but would get the P4S as i will use it most often in the winter and i do not see how one could even really stretch the acceleration of the Turbo on snow. just too fast.

i am now likeing the 4s engine band more; it really is much closer to the GTS than my initial impression. it will do 95% of my snow travel as well as the GTS does it but the back access/storage is far more accessable than those super contoured GTS seats.

Ape

The 4S is a much better drivers car IMVHO than the Turbo. My decision to go with the 4S was NOT financial, it was simply the best of the 3 variants of the Panamera. It's plenty fast for a sedan (or any car for that matter) and it's so light on it's feet that it almost doesn't make sense that a car that size has such a sporty feel.

I live in sunny so cal and would still much rather have the 4S than the Turbo.

Cpa4S

here is the 4S i threw an offer on:


Additional
Equipment
680 - BOSE© Surround Sound-System
P81 - Adaptive Sport Seats w/Mem Pkg
176 - Sport Exhaust System
417 - 20" RS Spyder Design wheel
640 - Sport Chrono Package Plus
712 - Porsche Dynamic Chassis Contro
597 - Door Entry Guards Stnlss Steel
213 - Ski Bag
818 - Brushed Aluminum Interior Pkg
619 - Bluetooth© Phone Interface
636 - ParkAssist (Front and Rear)
686 - XM Satellite Radio
870 - Universal Audio Interface
810 - Floor Mats
345 - Heated Steering Wheel
446 - Wheel Caps with Colored Crest
658 - Variable Assist Power Steering
351 - Adaptive Air Suspension w/PDC

George from MD

I get it. The practical Porsche. So fat you need a camera to back it up. Yes, for only $145,000, you can own a car that puts your neighbors sinfully indulgent Lexus to shame and touts your sensible, practical approach to life and all things automotive.

In other practical news Toyota has decided that wheel caps with colored crests are an essential part of the Corolla's practical appeal. So they've added them to the options list.

Is this article from the Onion or what?

Cpa4S

you can have a 4 door car that goes anywhere in any weather and can load almost whatever you want in the back with less effort than 90% of the other vehicles out there - AND it drives like no other similar vehicle.

the perfect Porsche has always been 2 - 1 sport and one for the other part of life.

Ape

+1000!