Is this new Panamera better than the previous generation?
Exterior – Front
So, looking at the Porsche Panamera you wouldn’t think that it is new and more of a facelift and I wouldn’t blame you if you did think of that, but I can say that this is a new improved generation. To start with we have a new set of front wings that are higher than before. because of this we have a new set of headlights with are squarer than before like the new Cayenne. We also get a new front bumper design which houses a big central air vent as well as some big side vents. We also get a little air vent about the number plate too. We also get a newly designed bonnet with some sharper creases too. overall, the front does look slightly more modern.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and we can see the new higher front wing design. The side vent is also slightly different because of this too. now from the side view you would think that this is similar to the 2nd generation. Well, it actually is the same as the 2nd generation. The doors, wing mirrors and body panels are the same apart from the small rear window at the back which has a sharper design. Now I presume Porsche has used the 2nd generation as a way of cost cutting but this is no bad thing. There was nothing wrong with the 2nd generation so why bother changing all of it if you didn’t need to. A recent example of this would be the new BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe. They are on their next generation but are based on the previous generation.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and we get a newly designed taillight with an integrated lightbar. Now I do like the design of Porsche light bars but for me this one feels slightly too thick. If it was slimmer like the 911 then it would look perfect. The bumper also has a new design which is squarer than before and looks more modern. We also get some real exhaust too. talking of exhausts, let’s have a look and see what engines you can get in the new Porsche Panamera.
Car and engine specs and price
So, the Porsche Panamera consists of 7 different trim levels. Lets start with the first one. This is called Panamera. This uses a 3-litre turbo 6-cylinder petrol engine which has 349 bhp. this can do 0-62 in 5.1 seconds and is mated to an 8 Speed PDK automatic, and the power is sent to the back.
The next version is called Panamera 4. This uses the same 3 litre turbo 6-cylinder engine as the Panamera, and it also has the same bhp at 349 but the 0-62 time has decreased to 5 seconds because the power is sent to all 4 wheels this time. It does go thought the same 8 speed PDK automatic gearbox though.
The next version is called Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and as you may be able to tell this is a plug-in hybrid. This uses the same 3 litre turbo 6 cylinder as before, but it now has a 186 bhp electric motor connected to it giving a total of 467 bhp. 0-62 is delt within 4.1 seconds and the power is sent through an 8 Speed automatic PDK gearbox to all 4 wheels. Compared to the previous generation model though the electric only driving range has increased to around 55 miles which is very decent. This is thanks to a 26-kWh battery pack.
The next version in the Panamera lineup is called Panamera 4S E-Hybrid. This again uses a 3 litre turbo 6 cylinder engine and an electric motor but the power has been increased again to 542 bhp. This gives the Panamera a 3.7 second 0-62 time. The power is sent through an 8 Speed PDK Automatic gearbox and is sent to all 4 wheels. Just like the other hybrid model the electric only range is about 55 miles which is still decent.
The next version we are going back to a pure petrol unit. This is called Panamera GTS. This uses a 4 litre 8 Cylinder engine which has 498 BHP. 0-62 time is rated at 3.8 seconds which is very good. The power is sent through an 8 Speed PDK automatic gearbox to all 4 wheels.
The next version is called Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid. This uses the same 4 litre turbo 8 cylinder from the GTS but it also has an electric motor mounted to it to give 678 bhp which is effectively double the power of the base model. This gives the Turbo E-Hybrid a 3.2 second 0-62 time and the power is sent to all 4 wheels. Electric only driving is exactly like the other hybrid models at 55 miles.
The final version of the Panamera range is the Turbo S E-Hybrid. So, this model is based on the regular Turbo E-Hybrid but the power has been increased yet again to 779 bhp. this gives the Panamera a 2.9 second 0-62 time which is very quick and the power is sent to an 8 Speed Automatic PDK gearbox and goes to all 4 wheels. Electric only range is also the same as the Turbi E-Hybrid too.
The price of the new Porsche Panamera starts at £82,500 but it goes all the way up to £168,700 for the top of the range model without any options so you could reach £200,000 easily. Right, lets have a look and see what is new inside the Panamera.
Interior – Design
So, climbing inside the new Panamera and it feels more modern but also very similar to the previous generation. To start with we get a new dashboard layout with a 3 screen setup like what the new Cayenne has. To start with we get a fully digital instrument cluster which is very customizable and is also easy to use and is easy to read. In the middle we get the same infotainment as before but has been slightly updated and is very easy to use. In front of the Passenger, we get another screen just for them which again is very easy to use. Now, the centre console is slightly different than before. to start with the gear shifter has been moved onto the dashboard like what the Tycan has. This frees up space in the centre console for more storage. We also get a new set of climate control switches which are very easy to use and most of the buttons that were present before having now been moved onto the touchscreen, which is a shame, but they are easy to access. In front of the driver, we get the same steering wheel as before which is small and simple but easy to use. The door cards are the same as before too, but the seats are new and are as comfy as always and also look good. Right, lets have a look and see what it is like in the back.
Practicality
So, getting into the back of the new Panamera and there is no surprise that legroom and headroom is the same as before. we also get the same door card, but the centre tunnel is slightly different with different climate controls. We also get a nice arm rest as well as some USB C ports. Now whilst you can sit 3 in the back, I really wouldn’t recommend it because of the very high hump in the floor. This will make it very uncomfortable for everyone. Lets have a look and see what the boot is like.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot and surprise, surprise you are welcomed with 494 litres of space with the seats up which is exactly the same as the previous generation. Folding the seats down and you are welcomed with 1,328 litres. If you go for the plug-in hybrid model, then this does decrease slightly because of the batteries in the boot.
Summary
So, in summary then what do I think of the new Porsche Panamera. Well considering that it is based on the 2nd generation Panamera there is a real big jump between that and this one. The design is much more modern inside and outside and the improvements to the engine lineup also help too. I would just wish they would have done a few more changes to the outside for example adding the flush door handles from the 911 just to make it feel that bit more modern and different. Doing that would really make people think that this is an all-new car.
Exterior 4/5
Interior 5/5
Practicality 5/5
Total 14/15
Model | Porsche Panamera GTS |
Engine | 4.0l Turbo, 498bhp, 0-62 = 3.8 Seconds, Four Wheel Drive |
Transmission | 8 Speed PDK Automatic |
Price | £125,600 |
On Sale | Now |
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