The Porsche Panamera Turbo is the new supplement for Indian businessmen

If you are a successful businessman and wanted a large four door saloon car in India, Typically you would have to choose between The BMW 7 series, The Audi A8 or the Mercedes S-class. Now though, you could have a Porsche Panamera Turbo. Took the car around for a spin today and, it was immediately apparent that if it is speed that you are after, the Porsche Panamera turbo is the better bet. On paper it is the fastest among the lot, boasting a 0 to 100 kph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 306 kmph. But there is also a downside, it looks like Porsche took the 911, warped it around on the computer and put it to production. It isn’t just appalling compared to the rest of the cars; it’s appalling compared to a scare crow. Other than this major disputed point it is an exceptional car.

Engine and Transmission

The light frame sits on a massive 4.8 liter, twin turbo, V8 engine that puts at your disposal 550 BHP. The 770 Nm of torque the engine puts out promises effortless progress. The price for all this is a very thirsty engine that won’t go easy on your pocket.  The direct fuel injection, variable hydraulic cam adjustment and other such contraptions make the ride balanced. The V8 being an inherently unbalanced engine, gives the car a distinctive personality and a soothing rumble. The purpose built gearbox puts the power to the road fluently. It is the first car in which the paddle shifters actually work.

Appearance and comfort

Apart from the hideous exteriors, Porsche have done a good job on the interior. Though you would need to hire a rocket scientist to figure out the controls of the car, it looks exquisite. Porsche have made merry with the leather upholstery studded with the aluminum trims. The continuous center console that runs through the middle of the car, all the way to the back, gives each passenger undisturbed space. The 18 way electronically adjustable seats affirm precise configuration to provide optimum support during high speed cornering. In the back there is place for 2 passengers to sit comfortably in adaptive seats cocooned in luxury. There is ample boot space making the car practical.

Suspension, Chassis and Safety

The car is separated from the road using an adaptive air suspension with adjustable ride height. The sport mode however stiffens up the ride. On an Indian road it makes the car feel like one of those vibrating machines that separates small stones from big ones. This renders the sport mode of the Panamera useless in India. The car is made safer by a massive 6 piston fixed Aluminum monobloc caliper breaks. Other passive safety gear and airbags make the car, a safe place to be.

Verdict

The Porsche Panamera turbo easily meets the need of an average businessman. Though the average businessman is most likely to drive the car sympathetically, the car is on hand to cope with punishment of aggressive driving. The car is a lovely place to be in and after a long day at work it gently deposits you home. This may I dare say, is one of the very few big comfortable cruisers that feels like a 2 seater. At an overwhelming 2.1 Cr price tag, it just breaks even.