#23 2014 Porsche Panamera – Sporty, luxurious and practical

The Porsche Panamera is many things. The car is controversial, since anything other than a sports car is going to put Porsche purists' undies in a twist. The Porsche Panamera is also expensive. But ultimately, the Porsche Panamera is a magnificent grand tourer that strikes an impressive middle ground between practicality and driving thrills. The Panamera, Porsche's first four-door sedan, slots between midsize and full-size luxury saloons in terms of size. For 2014 Porsche Panamera range has grown to feature a total of ten models, including the two new luxurious executive versions with an extended wheelbase. I will focus my review on the standard 2014 Porsche Panamera.

2014 Porsche Panamera 

Design

The 2014 Porsche Panamera can be made out at first glance. The tighter and more prominent look at the front end is especially apparent with the larger air intakes and the distinctive design of the headlights. In side profile, the new, more swept-back windscreen creates an even more extended silhouette. The rear doors are 15 centimetres longer, which gives new proportions to the windows of the saloon. When viewed from the back, the 2014 Porsche Panamera is primarily made out by its new boot lid.

Available in short or long wheelbase 

The widened rear windscreen emphasises horizontal aspects of the car and therefore its sporty character. This effect, which gives the 2014 Porsche Panamera the visual appearance of a lower stance on the road, is reinforced by integrating the licence plate bracket lower in the bumper. The 2014 Porsche Panamera is further upgraded by new standard features such as bi-xenon headlights, multifunction steering wheel, and an automatic power lift boot lid.

luxurious and exclusive 

Performance

The 2014 Porsche Panamera features a new V6 power unit, with 228 kW (310 hp). Fuel consumption of has decreased by 0.9 litres to significantly less than 9 litres per 100 km. The 2015 Porsche Panamera is equipped with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK). The power plant accelerates the Porsche Panamera from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. The top speed is capped at 259 km/h.

Driver focused cockpit 

Interior

The interior of the 2014 Porsche Panamera unites sports appeal and comfort with four bucket seats and variable cargo space. The new bi-colour combination emphasises the sporty character of the car. The foot well and the back sides of the front seats are upholstered in one colour, while the rest of the interior is adorned with the other combination colour.

Rear seats 

From the driver seat, there's no mistaking the saloon for anything but a Porsche. The tachometer is centred in the brand's trademark five-ring instrument cluster, flanked by the speedometer, a multifunction display and supporting gauges.

PDK selector 

The comfortable driver seat and high centre console add to the sporting ambience. The multifunction steering wheel comes is now standard on every Porsche Panamera, and the power lift boot lid can be opened and closed electrically at the press of a button. All four seats are similar in appearance and comfort, with integrated headrests and excellent support for both aggressive cornering and long-distance touring.

Rear center console 

The 2014 Porsche Panamera's rear quarters provide enough room for tall adults, and the seats can be fitted with options to make them power-adjustable, heated, and cooled. A 4.8-inch driver information display, a navigation system with a centre-mounted 7-inch display, Bluetooth and an 11-speaker sound system with a USB/iPod interface is also fitted.

Rear of the Porsche Panamera 

Verdict

The Porsche Panamera appeals to those looking for a unique luxury saloon that is unlike what is already available on the roads. New or used, the Porsche Panamera is a special luxury car that strikes a possibly unequalled balance between practicality and driving thrills.