Porsche Panamera

On the inside, all the versions of the Porsche Panamera have got the same layout, which is a good mix of traditional design cues of Porsche and new generation features. However, one can opt for different choices of trims, upholsteries and feature add-ons, some of which are standard in high-spec variants.

The driver’s cockpit of the Porsche Panamera is very familiar with a three-spoke multi-functional steering wheel with a five-pod instrument console with a centrally placed tachometer in the middle. The simple, flat and vertically laid central layer of the dashboard, which houses the wide touchscreen infotainment system in the middle, looks very classy, thus justifying its sports sedan appeal.

The long central tunnel between the front seats has been completely revised, which now gets touch-sensitive controls with a haptic feel for various functions, sleek AC vents and a chubby transmission lever. Adding another touch of classiness is a rounded analogue clock at the top of the dashboard in the middle.

There is no dearth of comfort and convenience features in the cabin of the Porsche Panamera, with the cabin god enough to seat four adults in utmost comfort. However, taller people will find the headroom at the back slightly compromised due to the sloping roofline.

When the Porsche Panamera arrived on the block for the first time, it was not openly accepted by many, due to its unconventional look as a four-door Porsche sports car. However, over the years, the sedan has evolved much, with the current version having a perfect balance between a sports coupe and a long saloon.

The front profile of the Porsche Panamera is unmistakably Porsche – the clean-looking front face has those iconic headlamps with rounded edges, which get quad-LED daytime running lamp setup around the LED projector headlamp. The front bumper of the Panamera looks sleek too, with large air dams and housings for the additional daytime running LEDs and fog lamps. It should be noted that the front bumper design is different for the short wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions.

From the sides, the Porsche Panamera looks like a stretched version of the 911 Carrera. The stretched wheelbase with a four-door theme gives it a low slung stance of a traditional sedan, while the sloping down rounded roofline gives it the coupe-ish appeal of the 911. The large multi-spoke alloy wheels of the Porsche Panamera, which have different designs depending on the variant you choose, also go well with the planted stance of the car.

At the back, the Porsche Panamera also gets the long continuous brake light spread across the width of its boot, which is a design trait which all the modern generation Porsches are getting by default. This light bar joins the sleek-looking LED tail lamps on either side, which coupled with the stubby design for the boot lid and the large and sloping down rear windscreen, gives a unique look to the car.

The Porsche Panamera also comes in the Sport Tourismo avatar, in which the rear three-quarter look of the car has been altered with a wider C-pillar and less raked rear windscreen. This look of the car gives it a visual appeal of a grand tourer.

Despite the additional weight and bigger dimensions, the Porsche Panamera doesn’t skip out on the traditional virtues of the brand by boasting hugely impressive driving dynamics. The sports saloon features a Porsche InnoDrive system comprising of multiple drive modes and steering and suspension setups for that precise handling which one usually associates with a Porsche car. However, being on the sportier side, the ride quality is stiffer at times.

The Porsche Panamera is available with two turbocharged petrol engines to choose from – a 2.9-litre V6 and a 4.0-litre V8, both of which are available in multiple states of tune. The V8 engine is also available in a hybrid version. The power outputs are in the range of 330 PS to 700 PS, while the torque outputs are in the range of 450 Nm to 870 Nm. These figures do make the Porsche Panamera the fastest four-door sedan in the world.

The Porsche Panamera has safety systems of higher-order on offer, and while it covers all the basic safety features, it also gets the more modern driving assistance aids like adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, lane keep assist, traffic sign and pedestrian recognitions and park assist.

To all those who want the uncompromised sports car appeal of a Porsche 911 without the sacrifice of a four-door daily driver’s car, the Porsche Panamera is the perfect solution.