Tag: South Africa

Let’s be honest, for many a Porsche is on their bucket list of cars to own. As a result this has caused people to work hard in order to reach this goal. Reaching this goal usually takes time, unless you’re one of those IT geniuses who develops an app and sells it for millions after a year. If not and you go through the “usual” route to find monetary success, chances are you’ll be closer to middle aged when you can afford a new Porsche. The problem with that is that by the time you’re financially able to buy the car, you may have little things called children. Those things take up space, so your dream of owning a 911 can quickly be dashed. Do you then settle for a Cayenne? Possibly, but there is another option,  the Panamera.

When the Panamera first launched, people didn’t know what to do with themselves. Their facial expressions resembled those of people who had just eaten caviar for the first time, or Bovril. The majority of people thought the car was hideous. That being said, the cars sold very well around the world. Perhaps the looks grew on us? Personally we feel any large car will look terrible if it’s not specified correctly. A basic Panamera with small wheels is not a thing of beauty. Throw in some large wheels to fill the arches and the GTS package styling, then you’ve got something that looks great. Why are we telling you this though? Well the acquired taste is back, and it’s bigger and better. 30mm longer and 5mm wider to be exact.

Aesthetically the car has the same overall shape as before but it’s become sleeker. There is a kink in the rear that separates the boot from the overall body, making it seem less station wagon-like. The design lines are sharper and more defined and much more modern altogether. The headlights remind us of the the Porsche 918 Spyder, with the rear looking more like the current 911 range. Nine models are available ranging from the base Panamera to the the Panamera Turbo Executive. The entry point Panamera features a 3.0 litre Turbocharged V6 (243kW/450Nm), with the S  variant featuring a 2.9 litre Twin-Turbo V6 (324kW/550Nm). The big boy Turbo Executive will give you a 4.0 litre Twin Turbo engine producing 404kW and a whopping  770Nm. All models have an Executive variant which is 15cm longer, making it the Panamera you get chauffeured in should you feel inclined.

The new Panamera has one of the nicest interiors in its segment. With the correct options ticked, you can have a tech-fest in the car that combines class and sportiness. For instance there is a rear touch-screen that will control the 4-Zone climate control. You have the option of Bose or Burmester sound systems and you can have the sporty 911-esque seats too, as well as rear entertainment. As we mentioned, choosing the right exterior options on your Panamera is a must. Small wheels are no no, whereas the larger wheels are a big yes. The car also has a James Bond like rear wing that presents itself at speed. As it lifts, it has two pieces that become one, instantly making you look cooler than your non Panamera driving friends.

Like caviar, the Panamera will always be that love/hate car. Which is good because you don’t want anyone to feel “meh” about your vehicle, so those who don’t like it can jump. Porsche doesn’t really care we can imagine, as long as people are buying, they’re happy. This new Panamera is bound to be a bigger success than the previous model because it looks much better and it’s a Porsche after all. It’s a bucket list car remember?