2012 PORSCHE PANAMERA Review

Overview

The 2012 Porsche Panamera is Porsche's fifth model series joining the 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars as well as the Cayenne SUV. The 2012 Porsche Panamera is a four-passenger, four-door hatchback offered in five trim levels based on the choice of drive train. The Panamera takes on the Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Audi S8 in the market. The Panamera lineup extends for the 2012 model year with two new V6-powered models, an optional turbocharger kit for more power and a few optional cosmetic enhancements.

Powertrain And Performance

The Panamera and Panamera 4 get power from a front-mounted 3.6-liter V6 rated at 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Porsche Panamera S and 4S are powered by a 4.8-liter V8 good for 400 hp and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Panamera Turbo has a twin-turbocharged version of the same V8 for a grand total of 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. An optional Panamera Turbo Kit adds titanium alloy turbines and engine management tweaks, boosting the Panamera Turbo's output to 540 hp and 590 lb-ft. The standard 7-speed Porsche Doppelkuppulung (PDK) allows fast shifting without significant interruption in traction and transfers the power to the standard active all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM).

Build And Styling

The Panamera is a highly sophisticated Porsche model which follows the design philosophy refined over decades on the 911 and successfully implemented on the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne. The Panamera S' standard exterior features include 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, adaptive suspension dampers, rear parking sensors, and a power rear hatch. The interior is well equipped with a dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats, a tilt-telescoping steering column, driver memory functions, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a 60/40-split rear seatback and rear bucket seats. A hard-drive-based navigation system and an 11-speaker CD audio system are also standard. The Panamera 4S is an all-wheel drive model. The top end model Panamera Turbo features 19-inch wheels, front parking sensors, adaptive air suspension with load-leveling and adjustable ride height and keyless ignition/entry. Inside, 10-way power front seats and adjustable lumbar support, expanded driver memory functions, a power-adjustable steering column, heated rear seats, a full leather interior, an Alcantara headliner and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system are the key features. A very long list of options including Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (adaptive antiroll bars and a limited-slip rear differential), 20-inch wheels, "ruffled" leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, a rear-seat refrigerator, Bluetooth, a rear-seat entertainment system, satellite radio, an iPod interface, a six-CD/DVD changer and a 16-speaker Burmester high-end surround-sound system allows buyers to customize their cars easily.

Safety Features

The Porsche Panamera comes with a long list of standard safety features including antilock brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, front-seat and rear-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Ceramic composite brakes and a rearview camera are available.