Autocar - First for car news and reviews

An all-new model line from Porsche is something we’ve become rather more accustomed to within the past 10 years than at any other time in the company’s history.

The Panamera, however, is as much of a diversion from its current line-up as the Cayenne SUV was. Porsche has never made a car like this before, although the company says producing a four-door GT was a dream of company founder Ferdinand Porsche.

As with the Cayenne, the Panamera (named after the Carrera Panamericana ro...Read the full article

If someone gave me a Panamera, I wouldn't even touch it, I would sell it straight away and get something decent... like an AMG E-class!

If someone gave me a Panamera, I'd keep it and beat Topkat in a race with his granddaddy E-Class ;-)

Well I've got nothing to prove to anyone, I would never use that car for the kind of speed it can do. I would end up buying a diesel! :D

Well, I've driven one, and it was a superb luxury saloon/sporting holdall compromise. And yes, I've driven a Quattroporte, a Conti Flying Spur and also own an A8...

This makes it, with one possible exception, the fastest-accelerating saloon in its class, eclipsing the Jaguar XFR, BMW M5 and Audi RS6. On paper, Cadillac’s CTS-V will go faster still, but with only the rear wheels driven this will be surface dependent.

I would have thought that it's competitors would be 7 series, S Class, XJ etc which is how you compare them in the interior space section

Autocar:

Furthermore, while the Auto Stop Start function undoubtedly boosts fuel economy, we found it frustrating to use.

This is just a quick point that I'd like to make about every car that has this terrible Auto Stop-Start function.

It is worse than frustrating; it’s wearying, not to mention dangerous and costly. It may well help with economy if all driving was nose-to-tail and you want the engine to switch itself on and off every five seconds, but if you do, use the key. This ham fisted application of crude technology is nothing more than a hollow gimmick, and if manufacturers persist with it, they should either make it optional or be told that buyers will look elsewhere if they have any sense.

If you haven't experienced it, make sure you do before you purchase any new car. It's regressive and renders any car tedious to drive.

When all cars are electric in twenty years, it’ll be neither here nor there.

Broom Broom:

Autocar:

Furthermore, while the Auto Stop Start function undoubtedly boosts fuel economy, we found it frustrating to use.

This is just a quick point that I'd like to make about every car that has this terrible Auto Stop-Start function.

It is worse than frustrating; it’s wearying, not to mention dangerous and costly. It may well help with economy if all driving was nose-to-tail and you want the engine to switch itself on and off every five seconds, but if you do, use the key. This ham fisted application of crude technology is nothing more than a hollow gimmick, and if manufacturers persist with it, they should either make it optional or be told that buyers will look elsewhere if they have any sense.

If you haven't experienced it, make sure you do before you purchase any new car. It's regressive and renders any car tedious to drive.

When all cars are electric in twenty years, it’ll be neither here nor there.

yes, yes, yes, we get the point, except... there's a button on the Panarmera's centre console to switch the stop/start function off.

I would be fairly sure too that a competent Porsche dealer would find some semi-officially, Factory-approved way of disabling it permanently, if the customer wishes it.

As to Autocar's gripe about the DSG box, DSG boxes will never be quite as smooth as a torque convertor automatic box but are of course more efficient on power usage, hence part of the reason for the >20mpg test fuel return. Plus, it should be worth knowing Porsche are expected to relent and offer soon the option of gear-change paddles on the steering wheel instead of their preferred buttons.

This car is quite an engineering marvel, and i'm sure it'll perform very well, but that styling is still rather too bizzare for my liking. In thie class, nothing beats quattroporte for desirability, but S-class has the best everyday limo ability. However, the one i'm most excited about is the new XJR, looks fabulous, and hopefully will drive well.

rogerthecabinboy:

I would be fairly sure too that a competent Porsche dealer would find some semi-officially, Factory-approved way of disabling it permanently, if the customer wishes it.

It shouldn't need that to take place. It's important that this little worthy frippery is kicked into touch. Stop making excuses, you contrary rotter. This is probably the most significant issue of a generation.

rogerthecabinboy:

As to Autocar's gripe about the DSG box, DSG boxes will never be quite as smooth as a torque convertor automatic box but are of course more efficient on power usage, hence part of the reason for the >20mpg test fuel return.

Wrong!

Well, sort of. Semi-automatic gearboxes will one day be smooth and won't lurch forward annoyingly, it's just that they haven't got the software and mechanical transmission control right. At the moment, DSG and particularly SMG gearboxes are a blooming nuisance unless you're moving-off into clear road.

 No doubt about it-it's packed with state of the art technology and all the gizmos you can imagine... but with THAT looks...they can't sell ugly cars forever. Cayenne was quite enough...

Take a quick look at Quattroporte and then think about buying Panamera ...got my drift?

While it's laudable of Porsche and I'm all for equal opportunities, Porsche really should stop using blind people to design its cars. Still, I suppose if people will buy the Cayenne... uh, sorry, had to stop writing to vomit... they really will buy anything. All Porsches aside from the 911 should now come with a warning sign on the dash that says Do Not Drive Near Horses.