Porsche Panamera Turbo
Embodying Porsche philosophy down to the very last detail, this is the brand’s first 4-door coupé. DNA analysis of this new champion.
At first glance, everything depends on its proportions and shape. Normal, a Porsche is expected to have “sturdiness and stature”. The Panamera Turbo is no exception to the rule, displaying its power and elegance without ostentation. 5 metres long with low, elongated design, it offers a timeless silhouette and spacious interior. Take a long look at its generously sized wheel-rims (18 to 20 inches), giving a glimpse of the brakes. Discover its telescopic spoiler incorporated into the tailgate, which deploys at 90 km/hr, splits into two with extensions to right and left. Inside, four individual seats with unbeatable comfort and lateral support, in smooth leather. With optional ventilation, combined with heated seats. Why four individual seats ? For maximum support and because the one in the middle at the rear (often uncomfortable) has been replaced by a console. With optional equipment and packages, it is in fact possible to redesign the rear as you please. The trunk is also very spacious. It easily accommodates the luggage of four passengers, as, for example, four suitcases from the Porsche Design Driver's Selection. Fitted with a V8 4.8 liter turbo giving 500 hp, the Panamera Turbo is pretty spectacular. In 4.2 seconds, it goes from standstill to 100 km/hr with a top speed of 303 km/ hr. No skimping on safety, and there’s an impressive list of equipment. First, PSM (Porsche Stability Management), an automatic system controlling the vehicle’s stability. Combined with ABD (Automatic Brake Differential), ASR (anti-skid system) and MSR (engine torque control), the PSM improves motricity while accelerating on uneven surfaces. A note for drivers looking for excitement : the PSM function can be disengaged. Next, the hood. It is “active” and helps to protect pedestrians. How ? Sensors detect any collision, the system triggers the lifting of the hood at windshield level, reducing the risk of injury. If it has 20-inch “RS Spyder Design” wheels, the Panamera Turbo can benefit, as an option, from the PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake), a braking system ensuring enhanced roadholding and superior driving confort, greater anoeuverability and agility. Always seeking to protect its users as effectively as possible, Porsche has fitted the car with advanced technology airbags : the driver’s and passengers’ large volume cushions inflate in two stages, depending on the severity of the collision. If the shock is minor, the occupants are restrained by activation of Level 1 of their airbags, thus reducing their risk of injury. Besides the knee airbags up front, the Panamera Turbo is fitted with the POSIP (Porsche Side Impact Protection System), two lateral dual-chamber airbags for the pelvis area, airbags protecting the head distributed across the roof frame, and lateral protection built into the doors. Finally, among the standard equipment, the PTM (Porsche Traction Management), a system that continuously monitors driving conditions in order to react immediately to different situations while ensuring, with the PSM, ideal distribution for maximum power in all circumstances.
The Porsche Panamera Turbo in figures :
Urban consumption : 18 l/100 km
Out-of-town consumption : 8.9 l/100 km
Mixed consumption : 12.2 l/100 km
CO2 emission : 286 g/km
Price : 136,917 €
Delivery : early 2010
By Cecile Olivero.
