Porsche Panamera Turbo
Maxabout Review
Most Practical Porsche Ever
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Overview
Sometime back there have been rumours flying around about a new secret four-door Porsche. Then it was announced officially - the name is Panamera, Porsche Panamera. The international car of mystery is a combination of a coupe and sedan. Though there are many Porsche enthusiasts who are not too thrilled about the production of the Panamera.
They feel that too much has been taken away from the original feel of a Porsche. Same was the case when Cayenne was introduced by Porsche which was often labeled as 'ugly.' But in my opinion the Panamera looks very balanced and stunning in comparison to the four door concepts shown by Aston Martin & Lamborghini.
Panamera is a true sedan which has proper space for four adults and has four doors unlike other 2 door models of Porsche. Porsche had nothing to offer to the market that loves it, but needs four doors and space for four adults. BMW, Mercedes and Audi are the manufacturers catering to that market, and the Porsche can surely make a dent there. Porsche India launched the Panamera on 1st October, 2009 in Indian Market.
Design & Style
Panamera looks awesome from almost all angles with cool looking headlights-tail lights, the curvature over the wings and the rear hatch all clearly exhibit Porsche's design DNA. But the rearend appears to be bulky from some some angles, may be due to bulbous looking boot. Porsche says that the Panamera is 76 inches in width, making it an especially wide sedan. Mercedes-Benz S-Class, by comparison, is 74 inches wide.
The bodywork of the Panamera is low and wide, and has been compared to a sedan. Although based loosely on the original design of the 911 Carrera, the Panamera is different in terms of engine placement - its engine is in the front of the vehicle. This has irked some Porsche fanatics, but the Porsche designers have tried their best to keep the engine as close to the centre of the vehicle as possible to maintain the pleasure of driving and handling for which Porsche is Famous.
Interiors & Comfort
Panamera comes with all the sporting and dynamic characteristics of a genuine Porsche combined with a very high standard of driving comfort. From the driver seat, the Panamera's interior evokes the 911's. Major controls are easy to reach, yet there's more space in virtually every dimension. Despite its extra-low and sleek coupe like silhouette, in turn, the Panamera offers more than ample space and roominess inside for four passengers and variable loading space for a substantial amount of luggage.
While most competing luxury sport sedans these days have some sort of controller interface, Porsche has resisted the trend. Consequently, the entire center console is covered with buttons, which may or may not be to one's liking. In traditional Porsche form, the front seats are marvelously comfortable and supportive. In back, the heavily bolstered bucket seats are loaded with the same optional amenities you'll find in larger luxury sedans like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Heated, cooled and electrically adjustable, they're roomy enough to accommodate adults more than 6 feet tall.
Engine Options
- 4.8 Litre, V8, 400 Bhp
- 4.8 Litre, V8, Turbo Charged, 500 Bhp
Panamera S & Panamera 4S is powered by a 4.8 litre engine which develops 400 Bhp at 6500 rpm. Top speed is 285kmph and 0-100kmph comes in 5.6 seconds. The Panamera Turbo is powered by a turbo charged 4.8 litre engine which develops 500 Bhp at 6000 rpm. Top speed is 303kmph and 0-100kmph comes in 4.2 seconds.
Variants On Offer
- Panamera S
- Panamera S PDK
- Panamera 4S
- Panamera Turbo
Porsche Panamera is available in 3 trim levels - S, 4S and Turbo. Panamera S comes standard with 18" wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a power rear hatch, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-telescoping steering column, eight-way power front seats, driver memory functions, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a 60/40-split rear seatback and rear bucket seats.
Also standard are a hard-drive-based navigation system and an 11-speaker CD audio system. Panamera 4S differs only in that it has all-wheel drive. The Turbo model adds a turbocharged V8, 19" wheels, adaptive air suspension with load-leveling and adjustable ride height, front parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry, 10-way power front seats and adjustable lumbar support, expanded driver memory functions, a power-adjustable steering column, heated rear seats, a full leather interior, an Alcantara headliner and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.
Price & Shades Available
Porche Panamera is available in 9 Metallic and 2 Solid shades.
- Black
- Carrara White
- Basalt Black Metallic
- Carbon Grey Metallic
- Platinum Silver Metallic
- Dark Blue Metallic
- Yachting Blue Metallic
- Jet Green Metallic
- Topaz Brown Metallic
- Mahogany Metallic
- Ruby Red Metallic
Here are prices of Panamera models - All these prices are ex-showroom Mumbai.
Panamera S --------- Rs. 1,44,74000
Panamera S PDK -- Rs. 1,47,30,000
Panamera 4S ------- Rs. 1,50,11,000
Panamera Turbo -- Rs. 2,04,84,000