Porsche Panamera Review

Likely to be controversial among the automotive cognoscenti, the new Panamera luxury sedan is part of Porsche's ongoing effort to expand its product portfolio. Purists may complain that the design and concept stray too far from Porsche's traditional sports-car focus, but the reality is that much of that "purity" went out the window years ago with the introduction of the Cayenne SUV. Quite simply, the Porsche Panamera is a magnificent grand tourer that just happens to have four doors.

The Porsche Panamera's name pays homage to Porsche's successes in the famously rigorous Carrera Panamericana road race, which was held annually in Mexico from 1950-'54. A four-door GT with a V8 engine in front and room for luggage under its sloping rear hatch, the Panamera has a 115-inch wheelbase that slots the car size-wise between midsize and full-size luxury sedans. This gives it a surprisingly spacious backseat, but unlike most other cars with roomy rear quarters, the Panamera's wide and low-slung stance screams "faster, faster" -- even at rest.

Controversial? Perhaps. Expensive? This is Porsche we're talking about, right? But for consumers comfortable with the high asking price, the Panamera will pace or outrun many pure sports cars while also coddling four occupants like a traditional luxury sedan.

Current Porsche Panamera

The Porsche Panamera is a four-door, four-seat luxury sedan that debuted for the 2009 model year. It's offered in S, 4S and Turbo models. The S and 4S Panameras are powered by a 4.8-liter V8 developing 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Turbo ups the ante with a twin-turbocharged variant cranking out 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Power is transmitted through Porsche's seven-speed "PDK" dual-clutch automated transmission on all models. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Panamera S, while power flows to all four corners on the 4S and Turbo. In an effort to improve fuel economy, both V8s feature a start-stop capability that imperceptibly shuts down the engine when the car stops and restarts it when the driver releases the brakes. If that's not green enough for you, a hybrid model is also said to be in the works.

Inside the cabin, the Panamera boasts a multifunction touchscreen, and dual-zone climate control is standard, with a four-zone system available as an option. The driver gets a center-mounted tachometer and a passel of console buttons for managing a multitude of functions. Behind the front seats are a pair of rear seats divided by a console. The seats easily accommodate 6-footers and can be equipped with power adjustments as well as heated and ventilated functionality. Unusually for a high-end luxury sedan, the Panamera's seatbacks fold forward to create a flat cargo floor and about 44 cubic feet of space.

On the move, the Porsche Panamera is simply striking. The combination of V8 power, super-quick shifts from the PDK gearbox, PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) and PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) creates a sport sedan with no equal. The Panamera Turbo hits 60 mph in roughly 4 seconds and continues to a maximum speed of 188 mph, and the naturally aspirated models aren't too far behind. Despite its 2-ton curb weight, the Panamera can still tackle a twisting road with greater speed and composure than any of its rivals.

In this exclusive segment, it all comes down to personal preference. Large luxury sedans from Mercedes-Benz and BMW might have the edge in traditional passenger-oriented comfort, and the Maserati Quattroporte outdoes the Porsche with its classically beautiful lines. But the Porsche Panamera combines luxury-sedan accoutrements and exceptional performance in a single package unlike any other.