Porsche Panamera Turbo

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Overview

When first launched in 2010, the Porsche Panamera opened up the figurative high-performance doors of the marque to a whole new audience, and its success has since silenced detractors and die-hard Porsche purists alike. In 2017, a new generation was unveiled with the chassis number 971, and the entire range has been given an update in 2020.

As for latest Porsche Panamera Turbo, there are 2 engine options that can be matched to 3 body styles. The Porsche Panamera Turbo S is the ‘entry’ model now, and it has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, while the one above it is the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid that has the same engine paired to an electric engine for more oomph.

These 2 powertrain options can come in 3 body styles. The normal Panamera is a liftback saloon with no designation, while the Executive is the same body with a longer wheelbase, and the Sport Turismo is an estate (sometimes called a wagon or a shooting-brake). 

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Exterior

As mentioned above, there are now three body styles across the entire Porsche Panamera range, not just for the halo Turbo models. However, these three are, by and large, pretty much the same in terms of exterior accoutrements. Unlike the previous hatchback-like rear end of the previous Porshe Panamera, the second-gen car has a sharper tail and upper bumper which closely resembles the Porsche 911, and can be considered a liftback saloon, if it really must be pigeon-holed.

As for the Sport Turismo, it is unmistakably an estate or a shooting-brake body. All Turbo models have larger side intakes in front, and there are elements here with a splash of exterior colour to elevate the look. The light modules here are also further apart from one another, and together with exterior-coloured elements, lend to the visual affect of a wider car. 

At the rear is a now familiar light strip that has beautifully adorned the rumps of recent Porsches. On the standard and Executive Porsche Panamera Turbos, four round exhausts are featured, but on the Sport Turismo, theses outlets have a squared shape. Aside from custom colours, the luxury saloons have 17 exterior colour options, as well as 3 20-inch, and 20 21-inch wheel options.

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Interior

There’s no denying the Porshe DNA inherent in this luxury saloon. The cabin is driver-focused and the pilot sits low in the seat. There’s a lot of space both in front and back, and the Executive models will add even more legroom. All this space extends to cargo as well – this saloon has the largest trunk in its class at almost 500 litres.

Every bit of the interior looks worthy of its stratospheric price tag – in Malaysia the pre-facelift model starts at RM1.55 million – and even in standard form, the materials and design are already luxurious. However, as with any Porsche, the options are almost limitless, like leather-trimmed air conditioning vents, and even a fire extinguisher. 

There are also practical options, like ventilated seats, soft-close doors, and four-zone climate control. For drivers who want a little more support, there is an option for a set of 18-way adjustable sport seats. Unlike the Porsches of scant few years ago, the new generation of cars from the carmaker has shunned the button-filled centre console of the previous cars. Instead, all new vehicles from the marque have a minimalist dashboard, with an equally austere centre tunnel.

 Visually, the design is highly pleasing and lends to the overall elevated atmosphere in here. However, this means that the infotainment system is a solely touch-based system, which is, as we all know, finicky to use especially when the car is moving.

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Features

The car’s digital driver display can also sync with the infotainment display to show things like maps and more, which is pretty nifty. Other optional comfort-based features that are good to have are the soft-close doors mentioned above, a USB-C port for the rear passengers, and Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment would also be geat to have, especially for cars in Executive format.

Sadly, for a car of this calibre (and asking price), many advanced driver assistance technologies do not come standard, and it only comes with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. Other features are optional extras, like adaptive cruise control, ParkAssist with Surround View, Night View Assist, and Lane Change Assist.

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Powertrain

The V8 here makes 571 PS at 6,000 rpm and 770 Nm between 2,100-4,100 rpm, while the electric motor is good for 100 kW (136 PS) and 400 Nm of torque. In both cars, the power units are mated to Porsche’s venerable 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, and power is sent to all four wheels. Morever, rear-wheel steering is found in both variants as well.

As the cars at the top of the Porsche Panamera range, both also have PCCB as standard. The front has 10-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers and four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed brake calipers at the rear, with internally vented and cross-drilled 420 mm discs in front and 410 mm at the rear.

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Driving Performance

• Porsche Panamera Turbo S | 0-100 km/h in 3.1 s | 0-200 km/h in 11.2 s | Top speed is limited to 315 km/h
• Porsche Panmera Turbo S E-Hybrid | 0-100 km/h in 3.3 s | 0-200 km/h in 11.2 s | Top speed is limited to 315 km/h

There’s no major upheaval from the first gen to this Porsche Panamera Turbo, and instead the marque has optimised all components necessary for a satisfying drive. Damping and electronics have been upgraded, and together with a steering control system taken from a 911, it makes for a very precise and progressive front end. The big saloon is easier to place on the road, giving the driver more confidence, which results in an entertaining driving experience. 

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Ride Comfort

On the variant with electric help, the car can even pootle around town on electricity alone in peace and quiet to replicate the Taycan experience. These Porsche Panamera Turbo models also come with rear-wheel steering and this makes the big car feel, well, smaller, and thus easy to manoeuevre around tight spaces.

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Fuel Economy

• Porsche Panamera Turbo S | combined : 10.8-10.7 l/100km | combined : 247-245 g/km
• Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid | combined : 2.8 l/100km | combined : 63 g/km | electricity consumption combined : 22.7 kWh/100km

Porsche Panamera Turbo – Conclusion

However, as a blend of both, the Porsche Panamera Turbo is matched only by its fully electrified stablemate, the Porsche Taycan. This latest generation in its most current iteration even took away the bluntness of the previous cars and added agility into the mix, which further enhances the excellent overall appeal of the Porsche Panamera Turbo.