The second generation Porsche Panamera is here. The cash maker, the family car, the first generation four-door Porsche achieved more than 150,000 sales and the second generation is here to satisfy even more. Do I like the Panamera? Yes. It’s great that Porsche keeps manufacturing the 911. No, the Panamera is not a proper Porsche.
So what is new about the second generation Panamera? Rear-axle steering! When you steer in a particular direction, the rear wheel steering reduces your turning circle and improves the high speed handling. The hard keys on the dashboard are reduced and I hope that we won’t get lost inside the menus . In case you would like to enjoy a diesel Porsche, now you can order one with an all-wheel drive, the Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel. It will be a best seller and I loved it. However, I would never buy it! The Panamera 4S Diesel is powered by a V8 diesel (422 HP, 850nm) with the top speed of 285 km/h and it reaches 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds (Sport Chrono Pack).
The other exciting update is the introduction of night vision with a thermal camera that shows humans or animals at night on the screen. The other exciting feature is the InnoDrive. This is a navigation system that adjust your adaptive cruise control’s speed based on the upcoming road terrain. A similar system is also available with the new BMWs. The headlights can be now ordered with LEDs.
Inside the new Panamera, unfortunately you won’t find the same number of gadgets and driving assistance systems that are available in the Mercedes S-Class.
It is a very good looking car, and you can’t argue that it is an improvement it terms of its interior quality and its driving characteristics. Would I buy over a Porsche 911? No! But I would prefer it over many other cars at this segment.
Photo Credit | Porsche