Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive Short Review: The Best Sedan Ever?

What Is It?

It’s the Porsche Panamera Turbo S Executive. The fastest Panamera on the market. How fast? Well, 0-100 kph is completed in 3.9 seconds using launch control which is 0.1 seconds faster than a track-focused Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale. That is damn impressive for a car that has a kerb weight of 4,200 lbs. And flat out? You’ll do 310 km/h. That is, again, up there with the Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Now, keep in mind that this thing is a four door sedan (or..saloon) that you can drive, pretty much every day. That is brilliant.

Dimensions

Exterior

The Panamera (970) is very Porsche looking. It’s really distinctive and people will instantly recognize it as a Porsche. It looks like a stretched Cayman and it got criticized for its looks. Jeremy Clarkson wrote a review on the Panamera and he criticized on its looks. However, I do quite like the Panamera’s looks. It’s elegant and stylish like a BMW 7 Series or an S Class, yet sporty like a 911 or a Cayman and you can daily drive it like the Cayenne.

The Panamera GTS and Panamera Turbo are equipped with 19-inch Panamera Turbo II wheels as standard. The tire sizes are 255/45 ZR 19 at the front, 285/40 ZR 19 at the rear. A range of optional 19- and 20-inch wheels is also available. In addition, all-season tires are optionally available for all 19- and 20-inch wheels.
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sends warnings to the on-board computer’s display screen in the event of excessive pressure loss.
TPM is standard in all Panamera models.

Interior

The Executive (LWB) versions of the Panamera came standard with some other comfort goodies such as a large center console for the rear compartment – and for increased storage space – is fitted as standard while on non-executive models, the rear center console is a $2,490 option . The 230-volt socket, an additional 12-volt socket and preparation for a cooling compartment also belong to the standard specification. Options for the rear include folding tables and Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment with two display consoles, two multimedia players and two wireless infrared headphones. You also get a good amount of trim options from aluminum trim, carbon fiber trim, or a wood trim which has some wood options such as oak, mahogany, and others.

Drive

The steering system with its variable steering ratio is precise and direct. Around the straight ahead position, such as when on the motorway, the ratio is less direct with no loss of agility or feedback from the road. When the steering wheel is turned further, the steering ratio becomes more direct, allowing easier cornering and parking. For even greater driving comfort, speed-sensitive Power steering Plus is available as an option. At high speeds, the firmer steering ratio enables precision steering manoeuvres; at low speeds, the ratio automatically adjusts to facilitate parking.

The car that I drove is also equipped with the adaptive air suspension system. Adaptive air suspension enhances both driving dynamics and comfort at the same time. It comprises a levelling system, a manual lift function, ride-height adjustment capability and the ability to vary the spring rate.
The purpose of the levelling system is to keep the vehicle level constant automatically, regardless of load distribution. For manoeuvring, the manual lift function enables you to raise the vehicle body by 20 mm to avoid the risk of grounding.
When you select the SPORT PLUS chassis program, the ride height drops to ‘low level’ (– 25 mm, or – 15 mm in the Panamera GTS). At the same time, a harder spring rate is achieved through a reduction in the amount of air stored in the air suspension. In simple terms, it’s a sports chassis at the push of a button.

For the luggage compartment, the Panamera models offer 445 litres of luggage space (except the Panamera S E-Hybrid and Panamera Turbo). The Panamera S E- Hybrid provides you with 335 litres of luggage compartment capacity, and the Panamera Turbo 432 litres. All models offer enough room for four suitcases from the Porsche Driver’s Selection range – colour coordinated with the exterior colour of your Panamera if you wish.
The automatic rear hatch with customisable opening angle is fitted as standard to all models. It closes conveniently at the push of a button.
By no means a common feature in this vehicle class is the fully or split-folding rear seats. The cargo position offers 1,263 litres of space (except in the Panamera S E-Hybrid and Panamera Turbo). In conjunction with the BOSE® Surround Sound System or Burmester® High-End Surround Sound System, there are 1,250 litres – including the Panamera Turbo – and 1,153 litres in the Panamera S E-Hybrid. A ski bag is available as an option and, to accommodate it, the centre section between the rear seats folds separately. To protect from prying eyes, the luggage compartment can be covered with the removable roller cover which is provided as standard.