- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
4.0TT, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
404kW, 770Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 9.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo review
What is it?
The current flagship of the second-generation Panamera is one of the fastest four-door limousines on the planet – and one you'd prefer to drive rather than be chauffeured around in.
The Panamera Turbo blends Porsche's sports car heritage with genuine comfort and space and brings a new-found level of luxury that puts it on par with the best executive sedans in the business, such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series.
How much does it cost and what do you get?
The Panamera Turbo isn't a cheap car by any stretch of the imagination with a starting price of $376,000 (plus on-road costs), but it is more affordable than Mercedes-AMG's short-wheelbase S63 and the BMW M760Li.
Sitting at the top of the tree (at least until the even more powerful Turbo S E-Hybrid model arrives later this year), you get a car that comes fully loaded with a leather-lined four-seater cockpit that has heated and ventilated front seats and introduces Porsche's latest digital interface with a 12-inch touchscreen that integrates all the vehicle settings plus Bluetooth, Wifi and Apple CarPlay connectivity as well as high-res sat nav and a booming Bose audio system.
Our particular test car was equipped with a few more options that took its as-tested price over $410,000, including 18-way electric adjustment for the front Sports seats and eight-way adjustment in the rear, a two-tone black and red leather interior, electric blinds in the rear as well as larger 21-inch alloys, a sports exhaust, Sport Chrono and rear-wheel steering.
What's under the bonnet?
The Panamera Turbo is powered by a smaller twin-turbo V8 than the car it replaces, with a reduction in capacity from 4.8-litres to 4.0-litres that ensures it is even more efficient than before.
It's the same engine that is used across a wide spectrum of top-end performance cars in the Volkswagen group, from the Bentley Continental to the Audi RS6/RS7, and, in the case of the Panamera, produces 404kW and 770Nm – higher outputs than those generated by the larger engine in the previous model, and enough to propel it from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds (when fitted with Sport Chrono) and on to a top speed of 306km/h.
Like before, the Panamera Turbo has an all-wheel drive transmission but it uses a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with a wider spread of ratios, firstly to help improve its accelerative performance and secondly to lower its fuel consumption to a respectable claimed average of 9.4L/100km.
What's it like to drive?
Needless to say, with that much power and performance numbers like that, the Panamera Turbo is a seriously quick piece of machinery when you unleash it.
With its maximum pulling power available from just 1960rpm, it rushes towards the horizon with relentless ferocity and sounds glorious while doing so, especially with the sports exhaust's loudest setting activated.
It's more than a straight-line steam train though, as it handles like a Porsche should with excellent control and plenty of grip through the bends. It's not as agile as a 911, or a Cayman, and it can't mask its near two-tonne heft, but thanks in part to the adoption of four-wheel steering it definitely belies its sheer size to set the benchmark as the sportiest limousine in its class.
On the flipside, it is a much better luxury car than its predecessor with its new three-chamber air suspension offering a relaxed and cosseting ride while the effortless nature of the engine and the seamless gearbox make it a thoroughly pleasant long-distance cruiser.
The only gripe is that its big rear tyres – measuring 325mm at the rear – generate a noticeable amount of road noise that can't be totally isolated from the cabin, particularly on coarse surfaces.
What's it like inside?
Building on the driving experience, the Panamera's new cabin design introduces a more modern level of luxury to the sports limousine.
Like before, the cockpit offers four individual seats that are set low and have generous support and there's plenty of space, even for tall adults to sit in the rear pews without any compromises, and a sense of airiness thanks to the panoramic sunroof. Those in the back can cacoon themselves from the rest of the world with electric sunblinds in the doors and rear windscreen and have individual controls for the air conditioning in a separate panel.
The overall design is the standout feature of the new-generation Panamera. While similar in concept to its predecessor, with a large centre tunnel cascading from the horizontal dash, it replaces the myriad of buttons with a glass-like surface that has haptic touch-sensitives controls for functions such as the adaptive suspension, exhaust, seat heating and air conditioning.
The big digital screen also looks more modern and has a tile-like operating system that makes its huge array of functions easy to navigate through.
Is it safe?
While expensive cars such as the Panamera aren't independently crash-tested, there is no doubt it would be right up there with the safest cars on the planet thanks to a comprehensive suite of electronic driver aids.
Beyond the fact that its responsive handling, and mega braking power, will allow you to avoid an accident in the first place, it is also equipped with autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning and a 360-degree camera with automated parking assist.
If, in the event an accident is unavoidable, occupants are protected by eight airbags.
Would I buy it?
Absolutely, I always admired the Panamera for being a genuine sports limousine despite the heavy criticism heaped on the original's design.
This second generation not only improves its performance credentials but the Panamera is now a much more convincing luxury car than before.
What else should I consider?
The Panamera is unique in that its core DNA revolves around being a sporty limousine at all levels, rather than being a high-performance adaptation of a mainstream luxury car.
But, if it's not your thing, then the aforementioned Mercedes-AMG S63 and BMW M760Li offer similar levels of speed, power and luxury.
And, while not quite as convincing, the Maserati Quattroporte is a distinctive alternative, as is the Jaguar XJR even though it's getting a bit long in the tooth and misses out on some of the latest safety and connectivity tech.
2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo pricing and specifications
Price: From $376,000 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: 9.4/100km