The Porsche Panamera: Update on the 4-door sports car

July 8, 11:44 AMAutomotive ExaminerKyle Busch

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We have heard that the Porsche Panamera will be coming to the U.S. In
addition to the water-cooled 911 and its SUV – Cayenne, will this 4-door
sports car equipped without even a third pedal for the U.S. market, tarnish
the Porsche name? Let’s take a closer look and do a test-drive!

To start, what is the prospective of Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking as
he wants to eventually dominate every segment of the car market. To do so,
every vehicle Porsche offers should be a driver’s car, SUV, whatever. After
all, there are an abundance of quiet, smooth driving, and dependable cars
out there!

If Porsche gives each vehicle feel, feedback through the driver’s hands,
and dynamic goodness, the company is likely to trump its competition and
obtain customer loyalty. The company has basically perfected pedal placement
and initial brake bite by doing cars like the Carrera. They have learned how
steering should feel rolling off center and how it should rotate under the throttle
by building the mid-engined Boxster/Cayman. No other carmaker has put
in the time it takes to nail down these driving components.

One of the number one “driving pleasure” squelchers is weight, and since
the Panamera is a large car, excessive weight was a concern. The rear-
wheel drive Panamera weights about 3,900 lbs. Not bad when you consider
that a modern BMW 750i checks in weighing in about 600 lbs. heavier.

How did Porsche save the weight on the Panamera? They used special
metals and much “noggin-scratchin.” The metal that is closer to the driver
is stronger and heavier and the further it is from the driver, the lighter and
more exotic (expensive) it is. Seventy-five percent of the Panamera is
made of steel and the remainder is made up of light alloys and plastics.

On the road the driver can choose from three PASM settings. – Comfort,
Sport, and Sport-Plus. Unlike some dynamic setting choices on vehicles
in which one or more settings do little or cause an abrupt change, all
three of the Panamera’s settings make a difference and do what you
expect.

In comfort mode the ride is soft and compliant as for broken pavement
city use. At the other end of the spectrum, Sport-Plus makes the Panamera
flat, aggressive, and suited for hard track use only. The Sport setting is the
choice for aggressive street driving. All three setting have their place and
driver is not left wanting for another setting.

The engine is a 4.8-liter V eight putting out 400 hp or a twin-turbo
making 500 hp. The car leaps off of the line and pushes the driver
back into the seat (0-60 time is 5.2 seconds). In the Sport setting, it
is likely that the Panamera will out-handle and out-pleasure any sedan
on the market.

The transmission is a 7-speed dual clutch unit. It shifts with the bite
of a manual box but requires no unnecessary involvement when the
car is driven in stop and go city traffic. In the name of fuel savings,
the Panamera’s engine shuts off at stoplights and restarts when the
driver touches the accelerator. The car then pulls away smoothly
in second gear. However, if the driver hits the accelerator, it is a
first gear launch and the 5.2 seconds to 60 mph. When driven
reasonably, expect about 28 mpg on the highway with the naturally
aspired engine and just a bit less with the twin-turbo.

The interior is entirely Porsche, and the layout is very similar to a
current 997. The steering wheel placement and pedal feel transmit
“sports car.” The center consol contains many buttons and is almost
too much, however, getting acclimated takes only a short time.
Additionally, the dash screens are very clear and simple. The back
seat is roomy with good legroom (about equal to a BMW 750i). The
seat backs recline and fold forward providing a flat surface. The
rear seat will provide for people over six-feet tall because the Porsche
boss demanded it.

The Panamera can be ordered with optional yellow brake calipers and
the PCCB ceramic discs. Not only do the discs weigh 50 percent less
than their iron counterparts, but Porsche claims that the reduction in
unsprung weight results in better suspension performance and steering
feel.

To sum up, everything on the Panamera was designed by walking a fine
line or actually both sides of the line. On the one hand, the engineers
made certain that anyone who drove the car would not question whether
or not it was a true Porsche. On the other hand, the marketing and sales
people wanted to also make certain their prize was better than every other
luxury car on the market. The objectives were achieved on both fronts!
See the Slideshow to view this baby inside and out!

A Panamera S will cost $89,800, and $93,800 for the 4S (all-wheel drive)
model. The twin-turbo will cost $132,600.

The best does not come cheap. If you have the chance to test-drive or
even buy the Panamera, go for it. You’ll be glad you did!

Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site:
www.DriveTheBestBook.com. 

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