REVIEW: Porsche Panamera a magnificent GT sedan - low-slung and attractive
When all the world ignores sedans and focus their attention on SUVs, Crossovers and whatever other moniker they can slap on a box, it’s heartening to know that some manufacturers still spend time developing low slung attractive transport.
And in this case the Porsche Panamera 4 isn’t just low slung and attractive, it’s pretty brisk too.
Understandably manufacturers have to cater to what consumers want and as a result we’re quickly seeing the demise of the sedan.
Porsche was feeling the pinch as well and in order to keep the wheels rolling on cars like the 911, introduced their take on SUVs with the Cayenne and Cayman, both outstanding in their own right.
The Panamera looks a lot bigger in the metal and as an executive sedan is an incredibly comfortable cruiser with enough room for two adults passengers and 494 litres of boot space (1,328 litres with the seats folded down) making it an almost perfect GT car.
Not everyone likes the shape of the Panameras but there’s no denying its presence, either parked or on the move. For me it works well with its large bonnet, bulged wheel arches, air vents, bug-eye headlights, sloping roof and big rear glass window.
Powering the locally available Panamera is a 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbocharged engine producing 260kW and 500Nm coupled to a sublimely smooth eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that transfers the energy to all four wheels.
Inside you just know it’s a Porsche, with quality materials and fittings throughout you also have peace of mind that they’ve left nothing to chance at the Leipzig plant.
The third generation Panamera has gone more digital with the instrument cluster a 12.6-inch curved screen but the rev-counter still takes centre stage in front of the driver.
Infotainment is provided by a 10.9-inch touchscreen and has fantastic resolution, even when the sun gets to it. It’s super easy and logical to use and I wish more manufacturers would take their cue from them.
Fitted with Porsche’s matrix LED headlights, it provides staggeringly good vision.
The system automatically controls illumination of the road based on camera and navigation data as well as vehicle speed. The system also uses the camera function to detect vehicles ahead and oncoming traffic. The distribution of the high beam is then controlled to provide optimal illumination of the road without dazzling other road users.
It’s technology like this that saves lives, especially with our crumbling infrastructure where street lights are a lottery.
Like its Cayenne sibling the gear lever now finds itself on the dash.
Pushing the stop/start button provides a pleasant barbel from the exhaust that’s not intrusive at all.
Once everything is nicely warmed up the Panamera is happy to provide you with a fantastic driving experience.
I know there are crazy fast SUVs, including Porsche’s own, but there’s something about driving a car that’s low and sleek that makes it a special experience.
The Panamera is big by any measure and heavy at 1,920kg, but Porsche are masters at setting up driving dynamics and here it’s no different.
Fitted with adaptive air suspension, at low speeds around suburbs it’s quite firm but it manoeuvres easily and getting in and out of minimum-spec parking bays is easily done.
Once out on the open road the Panamera comes into its own and my partner and I both agreed that we’d easily throw our bags in the back and take a leisurely trip to Cape Town.
It’s no slouch with a claimed 0-100km/h of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 270km/h. But I reckon owners are more interested in a comfortable long drive than blistering speed.
It’s no wallflower though when you push it, providing a smile-inducing drive and handling, with the gearbox adjusting quickly to your driving style.
Put it in Sport or Sport+ and it steps up a gear. It doesn’t pull the skin off your face but leaps ahead briskly and easily with the all-wheel drive keeping things under control in hairpins and switchbacks.
The exhaust note is rather muted for a Porsche V6, which I reckon is aimed more at those looking for comfort and decent performance rather than snap, crackle and pop and smoking tyres.
When we returned from our Sunday lunch I was tempted to give some more hard right foot because it’s so easy to do, but I had probably tempted the laser guns too often so we put it in Normal and cruised gently home.
Porsche claims consumption figures of 9.9l/100km which is probably eminently possible if you don’t drive it like a silly bugger, which will get you close to 13l/100km.
It has all the usual safety features you’d expect including ABS, eight airbags and one of the best lane keep assist systems out there.
The Panamera 4 is a thoroughbred Porsche with superb finishings and even better handling that will comfortably take you along in your tuxedo or on a road trip in shorts and a T-shirt.
It comes with a two-year/unlimited km warranty, a three-year/100 000km service plan and the e-hybrid has a six-year/120 000km battery warranty.
Porsche Panamera Pricing (September 2024)
- Panamera: R2 166 000
- Panamera 4: R2 244 000
- Panamera Turbo e-hybrid: R4 115 000