2024 Porsche Panamera review: Comfort at a schnell’s pace
The new Panamera is so heavily facelifted that Demi Moore’s surgeon would have been proud, but such relentless honing is a signature Porsche move
DRIVING a Porsche Panamera almost has you believing that you’re at the helm of a sports car, only with half a metre of extra metal behind you. But what it comes down to is that in terms of how it feels, human to machine, it simply fits like a glove.
The controls have that perfect, familiar feel, working with weight and precision that’s uniquely Porsche. It also doesn’t hurt that the front seats and even the digital dashboard, with its five-dial layout, almost look like they could have been pinched from a classic 911, the brand’s iconic sports car.
Porsche says the latest Panamera is “new”, but let’s call it what it really is: the product of a facelift so heavy that Demi Moore’s plastic surgeon would have been proud. The more boxy styling, updated interior, tweaked suspension and new powertrain options all aim to keep things looking fresh and raise comfort levels, while retaining that typical Porsche poise.
It’s straight out of the Porsche playbook to take something good and hone it relentlessly, but Panamera buyers probably know exactly what they’re getting, the same way I know what I’m letting myself in for when I reach for that third mass of lager at Oktoberfest.
Indeed, in a world where luxury sedans have gone all bloated and whizz-bang – I’m looking at you, BMW 7 Series, with your theatre screen and disco lights – the Panamera is refreshingly athletic. Sure, there’s a tiny bit of body roll when you’re channelling your inner rally driver down a twisty road, but compared to its rivals, it’s as graceful as a ballerina.
The handling is classic Porsche: responsive, engaging and taut, making it feel like an extension of your body. Yet, the ride is impressively forgiving. The new adaptive suspension system, with its dual-chamber, two-valve dampers, does a stellar job of soaking up bumps and keeping the ride comfortable, even on patchy roads.
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Under the bonnet of this one was the twin-turbo 2.9-litre, 353 horsepower V6 shared with Audi. It’s the entry-level engine of the lineup but it’s a lusty thing, shoving hard from the get-go, enough to chirp the rear tyres if you’re heavy-footed. Push a button and it serves up 20 seconds of max boost for those dramatic overtakes, and between the blow-off valve’s whoosh and the turbo’s whistle, it makes all the right noises. It’s also telling that the available drive modes are “Normal,” “Sport,” and “Sport Plus.” None of that eco business here; just modes to suit your appetite for driving.
But the Panamera is not without its annoyances. The air-con vents are adjusted through the touchscreen, a decision I’d bet my last doubloon no customer prefers. It’s like trying to scratch your nose with a stick – technically possible, but why would you?
The haptic panel for the A/C occasionally bounces sunlight into your face like a naughty kid with a mirror, and road noise is your constant companion, like that friend who won’t shut up about their CrossFit routine.
In revenge you can blather on about the Panamera range, which is extensive. The base V6 model is joined by four plug-in E-Hybrid models that bring pure electric drive into the mix for those who want a bit of green cred along with their performance.
The E-Hybrids also use motors to boost acceleration, sometimes to ludicrous effect – the top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid can batter your insides with 782 horsepower, by rocketing to 100 kmh in just 2.8 seconds.
But for my money, the GTS is likely the one to have, especially if you fancy yourself a keen driver. It’s powered by pure petrol, and GTS versions are typically the ones that Porsche’s engineers design for themselves in search of the ideal blend of power, handling, and everyday usability.
That said, like all Porsches, the base Panamera comes with an options list long enough to stretch from here to Stuttgart. I’d suggest starting with the Sport Chrono Package (which makes the car slightly quicker, via more aggressive drivetrain settings), a sports exhaust for the heck of it and four-wheel steering for added agility, although just those three add an eye-watering S$36,944 to the bill by themselves.
Still, the Panamera is the kind of car worth splurging on to get absolutely right, especially since it already feels like it fits you like a glove straight out of the box.
Porsche Panamera Engine 2,894 cc twin-turbo V6 Power 353 hp 5,400 - 6,700 rpm Torque 500 Nm at 1,900 - 4,800 rpm Gearbox 8-speed twin-clutch automatic 0 to 100 kmh 5.1 seconds Top speed 272 kmh Fuel efficiency 9.5 L/100 km Agent Porsche Singapore Price S$498,469 without COE Available Now
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