I drove all variants of the 2010 Porsche Panamera last week in Germany...

[Emission]

Originally Posted by burgermeister

None of it is my bag, but I like that it's different. Who needs another 7-series clone? Looks like it has fantastic utility and great performance in one package, it doesn't look like anything else out there, and it's not over-the-top like a Fisker or a Quattroporte. Porsche has always done cars a little understated and a bit different than the mainstream, and I guess I like that quirkiness. Though, I also like cheap ... and 90K is definitely NOT cheap.

It doesn't look like anything else, and it doesn't drive like anything else. It is much more engaging than an S-Class, 7 Series, or A8. Fun, actually... in a quirky Porsche way.

Not cheap.

- Mike

[Emission]

Did you guys remember this:

[Mark Grant]

Originally Posted by Emission

Did you guys remember this:

Disturbing.

[Vipergrün]

Too funny Mike, I was in Stuttgart last week myself visiting the factory and museum. They had a ton of Panamera's at the Munich airport when I departed. Quirky is a good description, but I could not fathom 90K for the car.

[jkarolyi]

I would like to see a Panamera parked next to a 1965 911, its styling inspiration. David and Goliath.

[911pcars]

Mike,
Nice photos and text. Your criticisms were few. That right?

I suppose the size of these vehicles allows the factory to trim some weight and introduce a lightweight RS version at 3800 lbs?

Sherwood

[mondo74]

sort of looks like a lowered cayenne that's had the hot rod chopped roof treatment. but not in a good way...

[Calgary944]

I wonder what market this car is for? I'm an almost 40ish Gen-X and all I can think is WTF, no thanks. If I'm buying a *sedan* it'll be an Accord...

[mkossler]

100K hatchback... hmm. I guess I need to rid myself of some biases. That cockpit for me is a big "no no no nooooooooooooo!", especially the shifter surround.

Well, if I hate it they'll probably sell a brazillion. Here's to hoping.

Great job on the post though, Mike - very enjoyable!

[willtel]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I don't think that really applies well to a 4 door, front engined car that is styled to look like a rear engined, air cooled car.

You think it looks like a Corvair? I don't see it.

[ddann]

My thoughts exactly, like an elongated limo-like 997. I'm sure it's an amazing car but FUGLY.

Originally Posted by Mark Grant

Disturbing.

[Phil Y]

Great write-up but one more Porsche (Cayenne being the other) I'd never buy, even if money were no object. SUVs and full-sized sedans just ain't my thang! Different strokes . . .

[Emission]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

Too funny Mike, I was in Stuttgart last week myself visiting the factory and museum. They had a ton of Panamera's at the Munich airport when I departed. Quirky is a good description, but I could not fathom 90K for the car.

The press launch was based at the Munich airport. We picked the cars up, and then deposited them back three days later. Porsche set up a "tent" next to the "Biergarten" outside the terminal.

- Mike

[bhyde]

Being somewhat new to the whole Porsche thing, I was just starting to get use to the 928. In fact, I've starting to like it quite a bit. Now this! My brain gasket is blown.

[Emission]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Mike,
Nice photos and text. Your criticisms were few. That right?

I suppose the size of these vehicles allows the factory to trim some weight and introduce a lightweight RS version at 3800 lbs?

Sherwood

Yes, very few criticisms... they really did one hellava job engineering this thing if you get past the looks and over the fact it is a new segment for Porsche. The Panamera has had the gestation of a Blue Whale, but the end result is impressive.

A few things I didn't mention in my article:

* The car is electronically speed limited based on tire pressure (which is constantly monitored). If the tires are a few PSI too low, the car will only do say... 165 mph. If the tires are at the proper inflation number found on the door jam, it will do 188 mph. A few journalists were mentioning they could only do 170 mph. Turns out those cars were running lower air pressure than the others!

* The headlights are adaptive. Not only do they swivel left/right, but they also raise the projected beam based on speed (they look further down the road). At night, on the Autobahn, they illuminate the road like aircraft landing lights!

* The ignition, seatbelt, seat cushion, and door striker all "communicate" with each other to determine whether the start/stop system needs to shut down the car momentarily (at a stoplight) or until the ignition is restarted (for a driver change).

I think the Porsche engineers mentioned that there were six different sophisticated computers monitoring hundreds of sensors on board.

- Mike

[OZCarrera3]

Originally Posted by Emission

I think the Porsche engineers mentioned that there were six different sophisticated computers monitoring hundreds of sensors on board.

Anyone want to take a guess at how many "Project Panamera" restoration threads we'll see in 2039?

[petevb]

So the question everyone is asking is "what was Porsche thinking"... I'll give you my $.02:

In Germany companies don't own many corporate jets. Why would you, when the country is small and you've got an autobahn? Many of the top brass own a Porsche, but they don't drive it on business. Instead the company has a big, fast S class or whatever, with a driver, and the guy works from the back seat while going from A to B at 155++ mph. Make no mistake- these are some of the fastest things on the autobahn, and when you see one flash from behind you'd better move over regardless of what you're in. Using one of these you can be anywhere in a few hours, and of course they'll notice what you're in when you pull up.

Cue this thing. Nothing says "my time is more important than yours" louder when you arrive. Of course it's got a comfy back seat- that's the guy the thing was designed for!

Of course we're not all german businessmen so they figured they better widen the market appeal with some other stuff, but at its core Porsche execs were pissed that everyone pulled up to their factory in someone else's car. So they went one better.

Hence the test on the autobahn, all the talk of top speed and the funky speed limiter, etc. It's a tool designed for a very specific job, and it sounds like it does that job very well...

One small problem: We don't have that job in this country. The job we do have for an expensive 4 door (involves much going slow, looking cool and parking) it doesn't do very well. So now what the hell do you do with it?

-Pete

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by petevb

So the question everyone is asking is "what was Porsche thinking"... I'll give you my $.02:-Pete

Yeh.

[Emission]

Originally Posted by petevb

So the question everyone is asking is "what was Porsche thinking"... I'll give you my $.02:

In Germany companies don't own many corporate jets. Why would you, when the country is small and you've got an autobahn? Many of the top brass own a Porsche, but they don't drive it on business. Instead the company has a big, fast S class or whatever, with a driver, and the guy works from the back seat while going from A to B at 155++ mph. Make no mistake- these are some of the fastest things on the autobahn, and when you see one flash from behind you'd better move over regardless of what you're in. Using one of these you can be anywhere in a few hours, and of course they'll notice what you're in when you pull up.

Cue this thing. Nothing says "my time is more important than yours" louder when you arrive. Of course it's got a comfy back seat- that's the guy the thing was designed for!

Of course we're not all german businessmen so they figured they better widen the market appeal with some other stuff, but at its core Porsche execs were pissed that everyone pulled up to their factory in someone else's car. So they went one better.

Hence the test on the autobahn, all the talk of top speed and the funky speed limiter, etc. It's a tool designed for a very specific job, and it sounds like it does that job very well...

One small problem: We don't have that job in this country. The job we do have for an expensive 4 door (involves much going slow, looking cool and parking) it doesn't do very well. So now what the hell do you do with it?

-Pete

Interesting observation.

The Panamera seriously intimidated others on the Autobahn. BMW, Mercedes, and Audi limit nearly all of their cars to 155 mph (250 km/h). The sight of a new Porsche in the mirror had everyone pulling over to make room for me hundreds of yards ahead of me.

Funny thing, when it started raining I'd move over a lane or two and slow down. As a Yank, I just wasn't comfortable doing 100+ mph in the rain. The Germans were downright confused by the Panamera being driven slowly. I could see them apprehensively come up behind me and gingerly pass me on the left. The unwritten rules of hierarchy on the Autobahn are very interesting.

- Mike

[petevb]

Originally Posted by Emission

Interesting observation.

BMW, Mercedes, and Audi limit nearly all of their cars to 155 mph (250 km/h).

Yea, in theory they all limit. In practice the limiters are often removed, and even when they are not there are bragging rights at stake and the limiters may have some "tolerance". My M3 saw 280 kph indicated, never found a limiter, and I understand some of the Audi's are even worse... Of course newer Porsches are unlimited and expected to be the top dogs.

Funny thing, when it started raining I'd move over a lane or two and slow down. As a Yank, I just wasn't comfortable doing 100+ mph in the rain.
- Mike

You get used to it with time. You learn to look for cars with foreign plates and rentals (morons who might pull out to pass in front of you when you're doing 150). You learn to drive slower near the borders (morons again). And you learn that when it's raining you can keep a good clip, but when it's near freezing and raining you'd better slow right the hell down (ever wonder what 130 mph on an 1/4" of slush feels like?).

Gotta love the autobahn. Amazing they haven't shut it down yet...