- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
3.0T, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
243kW, 450Nm
- Fuel
Petrol 7.6L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Ride along: New Porsche Panamera
The ferocity with which the Porsche Panamera Turbo launches from standstill is unlike anything else in the sport sedan world.
If it wasn't for the fact I was sitting in the back seat, in comfort and space, I'd swear I was in a purebred sports car. The zero to 100km/h sprint takes just 3.6 seconds and our driver, one of the Porsche engineers responsible, is out on the racetrack at EuroSpeedway in Germany to demonstrate what the all-new Panamera can do.
Drive was one of group of journalists from around the world invited to ride along in the passenger seat of the second-generation German sports sedan ahead of its official launch in August, before it reaches Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2017.
The Panamera is one of the few modern cars that really deserves the 'all-new' tag, with Porsche creating new engines, a new transmission, a new body, new chassis and new electronic/infotainment system, as well as building a new factory to build the bodyshells.
As we've already covered all the technical details of the new Panamera before, I'll skip the technical rundown and get straight to the experience.
Firstly, there's how it looks in the metal. While the first Panamera was polarizing, with most of those who disliked it taking issue with its rounded back end, Porsche's second attempt to turn the 911 style into a four-door is far more successful.
It is still the same basic silhouette as the original, but the lines are cleaner, particularly the roofline that more closely follows the flowing lines of the 911. But the new front bumper, with deep, wide air intakes and the rear with its full width taillights give the Panamera a more purposeful stance.
It is unmistakably still a Panamera but with cleaner, more defined lines that both evolve and improve the looks.
But if the exterior still won't win unanimous praise, stepping into the new interior should win anyone over.
Porsche has created an all-new electrical system for the Panamera, including a new dashboard and infotainment system.
The dashboard features a large, central analogue rev counter flanked on either side by two seven-inch screens that can display everything from the speedo, trip computer, navigation and several more functions. It manages to simultaneously combine classic Porsche design elements with modern convenience.
In between the front seats is an all-new switchgear layout and gear selector, all that features soft-touch buttons and is finished in attractive high-gloss black. The rear passengers in the Turbo get their own smaller version between the two rear seats.
But the real party trick of the new Panamera cabin is the 12.3-inch touchscreen that sits in the centre of the fascia and controls all the infotainment functionality.
It combines all the usual car features with the usability of a smartphone, and a customisable layout, drag and drop input and fluid scrolling with your finger. It includes Apple CarPlay integration, but no Android Auto as Porsche claims 90 per cent of its customers are iPhone users.
While we didn't get a chance to play with the new system in detail, and some functionality won't be offered in Australia, initial impressions are Porsche has taken a major step forward in this department.
As good as the technology is, the other positive to the inside is the space, both front and rear. Despite lowering the roofline by 20mm to more closely match the 911 shape, the engineers also dropped the rear seat bases by 10mm and added more recline.
The wheelbase has also been stretched by 30mm to both improve handling but also increase cabin space. The results equal plenty of room in the two rear seats even for adults. The Panamera may look and perform like a sports car but it is a genuine four-seat luxury car.
As nice as the interior is, it is out on the track is where the Panamera really shows off. Porsche has developed a new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine for the Volkswagen Group. The new unit produces 404kW of power and 770Nm of torque, coming from as low as 1960rpm. It is paired with a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels.
Our test cars were fitted with optional 21-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero tyres and carbon ceramic brakes with 10-piston calipers. Both of which cloud how capable the standard Panamera Turbo performs, with it having 20-inch alloys and six-piston calipers grabbing steel brake discs in standard trim.
But what we could gather from the passenger seat during our laps around the track, the Panamera doesn't just launch like a sports car it can corner like one too. Even more so when it is fitted with the optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) system which uses electro-mechanical stabilisers to help it corner flatter. While it is hard to make a definitive judgement on a car from the passenger's seat, the Panamera feels responsive and direct for such a large car.
Without the PDCC Sport, there is noticeably more body lean and pitch when cornering, but that is not a criticism as that sort of behaviour is typical of good sports sedans; but it does highlight the difference PDCC Sport makes.
Our brief experience in the new Panamera suggests the company has improved the machine in every way, but exactly how much we can't tell you until we get into the driver's seat.
2016 Porsche Panamera Turbo pricing and specifications
On sale: Q1 2017
Price: $376,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Power: 404kW at 5750-6000rpm
Torque: 770Nm at 1960-4500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 9.3L/100km