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Porsche PanameraJune 2009

Recommended.

After its Cayenne SUV, Porsche enters the last remaining premium segment - the luxury saloon.

Our rating:

4

User rating:

4
Porsche Panamera
 
 

Fifth Gear Porsche Panamera review

 
 
1. Handling
2. Interior
3. Towering performance of the Turbo

WE DON'T LIKE

1. PSK gearbox needs to be mastered
2. 400 bhp models don't always feel as fast as they should
3. 4S feels heavy
 
 

The idea of a four-door Porsche goes back to the late 1980s, when the 989 concept was under development . That idea was killed off by the recession of 1989-91 (which nearly killed off Porsche itself), but now it has come back - ironically, during the next recession. The Panamera makes a lot more sense financially than earlier attempts as it can share its engines with the Cayenne (while its electronic architecture will be used in all forthcoming Porsches), reducing costs substantially.

Porsche is certainly trying to cover a lot of bases with this car - a Grand Tourer that has plenty of space for four, a decently sized boot (including a hatchback, which Porsche barely mentions in its publicity) plus the accoutrements of a luxury saloon. It also nods towards the environment with direct injection petrol engines and the first application of stop-start technology to an automatic transmission.

The result is a fuel consumption of 26.3 mpg for the Panamera S - not bad for a 400 bhp saloon.

The concept of a four door Porsche (not to mention its styling) takes some getting used to, so people are unlikely to emerge after five minutes in the Panamera raving about it. However, like many Porsches, it is a car that grows on you. It has great engines and a superb chassis, but the optional PSK double clutch gearbox (which will be fitted to probably 90% of Panameras) takes time to learn and the car's sheer size can intimidate at first.

.

In terms of making a saloon that handles like a supercar, the Panamera is probably the last word, but it is a pretty extreme car. Extraordinary on the motorway, where it is more like a TGV than a car, and amazing when you want to drive a four-door supercar, it is not the most relaxing saloon when you want to take it easy.

Fifth Gear overall car ratings

STYLING

A four door Porsche is always going to be intensely controversial, so the company has worked very hard to give it typical Porsche styling cues, especially around the headlights and tailgate. It looks good from the front and the back, but less so from the side: the very long 115 inch wheelbase and low roof does make it look a bit like a sat-upon Cayenne.

HANDLING

Without a doubt, the best thing about the car is its suspension. It absolutely demolishes fast A-roads and the ESP system is very progressive, allowing the car to slide moderately before reining things in. The optional air suspension is worth choosing, providing both a slightly better ride and noticeably better body control on rough roads. The only problems stem from its size: the 76 inch width can make narrow roads a slightly fraught experience.

COMFORT

The seats are excellent and the car can comfortably cross entire countries in a single sitting - on a German autobahn 100 mph corresponds to just 2500 rpm. The ride is firm, as you would expect, but very well controlled.

QUALITY & RELIABILITY

It is a Porsche, so it is hardly going to be flimsy. The interior looks very good and the only thing that prevents a full five stars are the slightly tinny buttons on the centre console.

PERFORMANCE

The Turbo is a five star car- all 500 bhp can be summoned in an instant. The normally aspirated 400 bhp models are obviously still very fast, but are quite sensitive to how the optional PSK double-clutch gearbox is used. Around town, it is best to leave it in auto mode if you want to avoid some hesitant and slightly jerky gearchanges. At high speed, the PSK box is much better in manual mode, but it needs to be in Sport to deliver quick changes - otherwise it can feel like a very slow-witted auto

ROOMINESS

It does have plenty of space for four - not exactly up to S-Class standards, but perfectly acceptable. The boot is well shaped, but a bit shallow (there is space for a vast 1000 watt amplifier under the floor). There is the option of a ski hatch in the split-fold rear seats.

STEREO / SAT NAV

Audios range from the very good to the sensational. The optional 1000 watt audio system is like having a miniature concert hall inside your car. Satellite navigation works exceptionally well and has two displays: the main one in the centre console plus a smaller one in front of the driver.

RUNNING COSTS

Fuel consumption is as good as you are going to get from a 170 mph four-seater, varying between 23.2 mpg and 26.2 mpg depending on the model (when fitted with the PSK gearbox). Servicing will undoubtedly be very expensive but the biggest cost will be depreciation. Traditionally, Porsches depreciate slowly and big saloons depreciate quickly. Time will tell which trend applies to the Panamera.

VALUE FOR MONEY

No matter what you compare it with, this car is expensive. You are not going to get one on the road for under £75,000, which is a lot more than a 500 bhp Jaguar XF-R, for example. There is a big premium for the exclusivity of having a Porsche saloon.

ENVIRONMENT

Porsche has made the Panamera as economical as it can be given its performance - it reckons fuel consumption has been cut by around 4 mpg by stop-start and other high-tech aids. The new hybrid offers the amazing CO2 figure of 159 g/km, but it remains to be seen how popular it will be amongst Porsche buyers.

This review has been tagged with: Porsche | Porsche Panamera

 

Average

4

User reviews (8)

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Bob
1

Bob29 November 2009

It looks like the result of a one-night-stand between a Cayman and an Austin Maxi.

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John
4

John21 March 2010

This car has to be seen in 'the flesh' to be appreciated. With the optional 20" wheels the side view (probably it's worst) is dramatically changed. The interior cannot honestly be falted. I had no interest in the car until I visited the Porsche showroom. I bought an 'S' which I love. I had an R8 for a year and I can say that this car recieves as many admiring glances as that did. As mentioned, it has to be seen to be appreciated. Peoplw approach me to say, "it is not ugly at all." Clarkson should always be taken with a 'pinch of salt.'

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Mark
4

Mark16 July 2010

When we first saw the Panamera, we did think it was somewhat odd looking from behind, but having seen them on the road now it is definitely growing on us. I guess the desirability of the looks will be seen in the prices of used vehicles. Mark http://usedporschepanamera.co.uk

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RAFAEL
5

RAFAEL 22 August 2010

From my point of view the Panamera is the perfect combination between a sports car and a family sedan. Many say that its looks are just horrible but I completely with this, I believe that is an extremely good looking car because much more like a sports car to lo at compared to its other rivals like the Audi RS6 the BMW M5 or even the Maserati Quattroporte. If somebody wants to have something that looks like a normal executive saloon he is better of with the Audi. In addition, the Panamera Turbo is much faster than any 4 door car you could possibly ( except maybe the Bugatti Galibier which is completely out of the comparison ) as it has already been proven by its nurburgring lap record. Futhermore it is also faster than some proper supercars like the corvette C6 or the Aston martin DBS, again according to its nurburgring lap time. So as far as the looks are consirned all is about your personal taste but about the performance issue there is no doupt that it is the faster sedan you could possibly buy ( and also the the most striking )

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Chris D
5

Chris D 05 November 2010

I had a passenger ride on Queensland Raceway national circuit last February, Terry Knight of GT3 911 Cup fame was driving and the car was not his! He did everything to break the Panamera out and even the base model poverty pack was absolutely Aweful in the original meaning full of Awe. o -160 from start to turn one handled the undulating entry to the corner with no stress, down the back straight at 240+ and brake at the last marker track round the long turn and fire at the next turn. Sreeming late into corners at idiotic speed with all seats (4 big lads) filled. This is not just a squat Cayenne it's a whole lot of hot peppers but handles like a tilt train. Lock load and fire, reat car. Originally thought it was a huge bum on wheels but have changed my mind after feeling the chassis work and the way it just works.

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pranav singh
5

pranav singh13 December 2011

the car ensures sports car performance with four doors.Interiors and power are mind blowing in TURBO and TURBO S models.

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