PORSCHE’S 2017 PANAMERA IS AN ABSOLUTE TECHNOLOGICAL WIZARD
Few cars blend performance and tech like this revamped beast, Graeme Fletcher writes.
Hot on the heels of the revamped 718 Cayman comes the next-gen Porsche Panamera. Ahead of the launch program, Porsche lifted the curtain on its latest grand tourer and offered a glimpse of things to come. The rework is extensive and touches all facets — the name, concept and four-seat layout are essentially the only carry-over parts. When the Panamera debuts in the first quarter of next year, it will be offered in S and turbo trims.
The wheelbase grows by 30 millimetres to 2,950. It is also 34 millimetres longer, six millimetres wider and five millimetres taller. However, the defining characteristic is the raked roofline — it is 20 millimetres lower at the back end, which adds a sleeker look to what remains a large car. Inside, the focus is on the cockpit. Two 18-centimetre screens flank the traditional analogue tachometer. Both can be customized through steering wheel-mounted buttons.
The centre console is new and uses a black panel with touch points, which eliminates a bunch of buttons. Next is the 31-centimetre touchscreen that houses the media system. It is fully configurable, recognizes smartphone gestures and features an online navigation system with real-time traffic information, along with an array of app support.
Finally, a tracking system makes sure if someone takes the Panamera for a joyride: it pinpoints the car’s exact location.
One of the neat technologies is InnoDrive, which uses the adaptive cruise control and navigation system, along with radar and cameras. Once engaged, the system delves into the navigation information and looks at the road ahead for the next three kilometres. It then figures out the most efficient driving strategy and controls the engine, transmission and brakes to maintain the right speed through bends and elevation changes, and it obeys speed limits. The radar and cameras look after the realtime aspects; it can pick up slowermoving vehicles and spot a pedestrian who steps in front of the car. While InnoDrive does not steer, if one factors in the lane-keep assist system and its ability to steer, you have the genesis of autonomous drive.
The all-new chassis has also been honed and gets a host of agility-improving technologies. First, the turbo has a new three-chamber air suspension with 60 per cent more air volume and a greater spread of spring rates (the springs are 2.5 times stiffer in sport-plus than in normal mode). It is supported by an electromechanical roll-stability control system and a torque vectoring system.
Another option is a rear-steer system. It turns the rear wheels in the opposite directions to the front wheels at speeds below 50 kilometres an hour, and in the same direction when going over this speed. The net result is a tighter turning circle at low speeds and a faster response to steering input when out for a drive.
The biggest changes are found under the hood. There are three new engines and a new transmission. The engine used in the Panamera S is a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V-6 that generates 440 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. It brings a run from rest to 100 kilometres an hour in 4.2 seconds with the port chrono package aboard and it does so while returning an enviable average fuel economy of 8.2 L/100 km, based on the European test cycle.
Next up is the 4.0-L twin-turbo V-8 employed in the Panamera turbo. It brings a thunderous 550 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque at 1,950 r.p.m. Porsche says the turbo races from rest to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has an average fuel economy of 9.4 litres per 100 km. That, for a 2,000-kilogram car, is missile-like yet frugal. Credit the cylinder deactivation system for the latter.
Finally, there’s an intriguing option: a 4.0-L twin-turbo V-8 diesel. I say intriguing because of the numbers it generates. Not only does it produce 422 hp at 3,500 r.p.m., it twists out a monster 627 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 r.p.m. Yes, 400 r.p.m. off idle — and it is delivering peak twisting force, so turbo lag will be non-existent. This also helps to explain the rest of the numbers — it runs to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds while returning an average fuel economy of 6.8 L/100 km. All of this left me wondering why anyone would consider any other engine but, sadly, it will not be offered in Canada.
All engines are teamed with a new eight-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission that’s teamed with all-wheel drive, while rear-wheel drive will also be available. The plus is the extra gear brings a broader spread of ratios. There are now six performance gears and two overdrives for economy.
The tech day also included a taxi ride — that’s Porsche speak for a trained driver frightening the living daylights out of his passengers. Thankfully, car and driver were more than up to the test. For the first lap around the EuroSpeedway Lausitz track — the place Alex Zanardi lost his legs in one of the nastiest crashes in IndyCar history — the Panamera turbo was in normal mode. Here it cruised comfortably, taking some serious corners without the usual jostling.
Then, back into the pit lane and it was time to put everything into sport-plus and set the launch control. When the brake was released, the Panamera took off like Usain Bolt leaving the blocks; the power was explosive and all four tires scrambled to get the power down to the track. And that’s with P275/35R21s up front and monster P315/30R21s at the back.
Then it was off for one serious thrash around a difficult track. The driver braked impossibly late and kicked the tail out at will while heading through a series of sweeping corners. There is no body roll to speak of and all of those active aids were doing their utmost to keep the Panamera on the track and not off doing some unscheduled lawn mowing.
After that heart-pounding trip, it was not difficult to quantify the ride and handling characteristics, even from the shotgun seat — the Panamera is buttoned down and then some. It is both a legitimate sport car and a luxurious limousine. Now all I have to do is get my heart rate back under 200.
The Panamera 4S has a starting price of $114,300, while the turbo commands $167,700.