Giving it its get up and go is an all-new twin-turbo V8, with an equally new eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) twin-clutch automatic transmission. We’ve seen the 3,993-cc V8 from the VW Group in cars like the Audi RS 7, and Bentley Continental V8 S, but Porsche went ahead and came up with this 3,996-cc V8, a perfectly square motor with an 86-mm bore and stroke. It’s sportier, yes, and turned out quick indeed, and efficient. It’s also the first engine from Porsche to feature cylinder deactivation. Porsche say, “The deactivation and reactivation of the cylinders are controlled by VarioCam Plus with a two-stage sliding cam system. The valve gear of cylinders two, three, five and eight can be deactivated or reactivated as required. The intake and exhaust valves of these cylinders are completely shut down in four-cylinder operation. Cylinder deactivation is operational over an engine speed range from 950 to 3,500 rpm and up to a torque limit of 250 Nm.”
The new PDK replaces the torque converter in the previous generation car, thanks to its peak torque rating now up to a full 1,000 Nm. Either way, this translates into lightning-quick shifts and seamless transfer of power to all four wheels. The claimed top speed of 306 km/h is achieved in sixth, which runs an overdrive ratio of 0.84:1. That top speed doesn’t seem unlikely one bit, considering the Panamera Turbo can rocket up to 200 km/h in less than 14 seconds — from standstill. On the move, maintaining a steady 60 km/h to get some of the shots you see here, the Turbo was doing 1,100 rpm in sixth, the sport exhaust lightly burbling occasionally. Give it some foot and it delivers with no second thought.
Porsche claim a 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono pack that we had on the car. Real-world non-autobahn conditions considered, we managed 4.54 seconds, with a near full tank and two occupants, with a bit of luggage, in Sport Plus mode. A 36.5°C temperature didn’t help matters either. Whichever way you look at it, the Panamera Turbo is a deceptively quick machine. And that holds true even in the bends. Where one would usually lift off and brake, I felt comfortable simply turning in and holding my speed — around 190 km/h — without a furrow of the brow. Its impressive dynamics come thanks to some brilliant engineering together with cutting-edge electronic assistance. Rear-wheel steering is available as standard on the long-wheelbase Executive, but being given the miss on this options list didn’t really make my experience any less exciting or have me wanting anything more.
That’s the beauty of it. It’s a proper everyday car. It’s immensely comfortable, unbelievably quick, and even rather efficient. We worked out five km to the litre in the city, with a very reasonable nine on the highway. That’s down to the smart engine management, slick new transmission, and optimised aerodynamics with a low drag coefficient. Cruise at a relaxed pace at around 3,000 rpm and you’ll be coasting on four pots, completely oblivious to anyone inside, of course. With the 90-litre tank and an overall six, that’s a range of 540 km — with 75 per cent city driving. Besides, rear-seat passengers will travel in complete comfort. They have everything at their fingertips, too. The centre console offers a full touch display and a couple of buttons to provide controls for pretty much all of the functions available at the front, including the two-zone climate control, the Bose audio system, and the panoramic sunroof. It can be a family car, or a business saloon.
What really is a gripe is the price. The base price for the Porsche Panamera Turbo is Rs 1.93 crore (ex-showroom). With the optional extras — Sport Chrono, Panoramic Sunroof, sport exhaust, seats with massage and ventilation — the price goes up to well over Rs 2 crore, again before tax. Stack up on options and it keeps heading north. However, if you want a GT for four that delivers sports-car shaming performance, I don’t see anything challenging the second-generation Panamera Turbo. It’s simply a ballistic missile with leather seats and climate control.
Need to Know – Porsche Panamera Turbo
Price: Rs 1.93 crore (ex-showroom)
Engine: 3,996 cc, V8, twin-turbo petrol
Max Power: 550 PS @ 5,750-6,000 rpm
Max Torque: 770 Nm @ 1,960-4,500 rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Weight: 1,995 kg
Performance:
0-100 km/h: 4.54 seconds
Quarter-mile: 12.62 seconds @ 189.97 km/h
Top speed: 306 km/h (claimed)
