As you may know, Porsche resisted the temptation of implementing an all-encompassing controller in favour of simple pressure-activated switches. The idea is so refreshing that it may make you long for AM radios and manual crank windows...
I for one certainly prefer being in the driver's seat, but I did spend quite a bit of time in the second row which was far from being punishing; wherever you sit in the car, you get a proper single perch with all the right contours and means of support.
Creamy V6
Although it may not hum or roar like the V8, the Porsche-developed 3.6L V6 produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Before you go on saying that the neighbour's G37 has 30 more hp, unless you plan on a drag race, a 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.3 seconds should be more than enough to keep things interesting. Furthermore, this Porsche gets the 7-speed dual-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung PDK transmission which is amongst the most competent and rewarding of its type.
Don't be thinking either that a V6 cannot be as refined as a V8. This 3.6L V6 is so smooth you'd guess that Porsche took the VW lump, dipped it in butter, added whip cream and then covered it in melted caramel. Then, wrapped it in velour and crushed velvet. I'm almost not exaggerating.
The ride is not quite the same; this is a Porsche after all. The emphasis with this car still has to do with the ability to travel at great rates of speed and tackle corners without rolling onto its side. Only the ugliest of road surfaces will tarnish the Panamera's poise; here, an S-Class is more apt at dealing with bad tarmac.
From the driver's seat vantage point, which is the same as that of a 911, steering and brakes lose little or nothing over those of the legendary 911. The extra girth is hardly felt and manoeuvrability is good. Visibility is encumbered by the car's coupe-like roofline, though.
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| Porsche's 3.6L V6 produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
I for one certainly prefer being in the driver's seat, but I did spend quite a bit of time in the second row which was far from being punishing; wherever you sit in the car, you get a proper single perch with all the right contours and means of support.
Creamy V6
Although it may not hum or roar like the V8, the Porsche-developed 3.6L V6 produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Before you go on saying that the neighbour's G37 has 30 more hp, unless you plan on a drag race, a 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.3 seconds should be more than enough to keep things interesting. Furthermore, this Porsche gets the 7-speed dual-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplung PDK transmission which is amongst the most competent and rewarding of its type.
Don't be thinking either that a V6 cannot be as refined as a V8. This 3.6L V6 is so smooth you'd guess that Porsche took the VW lump, dipped it in butter, added whip cream and then covered it in melted caramel. Then, wrapped it in velour and crushed velvet. I'm almost not exaggerating.
The ride is not quite the same; this is a Porsche after all. The emphasis with this car still has to do with the ability to travel at great rates of speed and tackle corners without rolling onto its side. Only the ugliest of road surfaces will tarnish the Panamera's poise; here, an S-Class is more apt at dealing with bad tarmac.
From the driver's seat vantage point, which is the same as that of a 911, steering and brakes lose little or nothing over those of the legendary 911. The extra girth is hardly felt and manoeuvrability is good. Visibility is encumbered by the car's coupe-like roofline, though.
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| The emphasis with this car still has to do with the ability to travel at great rates of speed and tackle corners without rolling onto its side. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |