Almost new buying guide: Porsche Panamera Car News

The first generation Panamera was launched in 2010 and this magazine was not entirely convinced by the new arrival. Fortunately, it has matured well throughout its six years of operation, but it took its successor, the second-gen Panamera in the spotlight here, to change hearts and minds.

How? ‘Or’ What? It’s much better to start with. There is certainly a hint of a stretched 911 going on. (It’s longer, wider, and lower than before.) It’s still a four-seater but that aft cabin looks special as a result. It offers plenty of room for average-sized adults, although a six-footer might feel a bit cramped. If space is important, try the slightly longer Executive version or go for it and get the Sport Turismo Shooting Brake (to be covered in a future guide).

Click here to buy your next used Panamera from Autocar

The engines also stepped up, being powerful, refined and free-revving. The line-up is the entry-level 3.0-liter 330 hp. This is followed by our favorite, the 434 hp 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6. Then there’s the 456bhp 2.9-liter V6 E-Hybrid (lots available from £ 48,000 for a 2017 reg with 54,000 miles) and the 453bhp 4.0-liter twin-turbo GTS V8. This latest model, launched in 2019, does not play on the strengths of the Panamera because its driving is a little too steep for a luxury car. At the top of the lineup are the 543 hp 4.0-liter V8 Turbo and the massive 670 hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo S E-Hybrid.

The only diesel is the 416bhp 4.0-liter twin-turbo from the 4S Diesel – at launch, the world’s fastest production diesel car. Autocar was so impressed that it awarded it five stars. However, the rise in popularity of hybrids doomed diesel to an early grave in 2018 and there are only a few for sale. Pay around £ 55,000 for a 2017 reg with 70,000 miles.

That’s a lot of engines to choose from and it’s getting harder and harder, because from 2021 when the Panamera got refurbished, the regular and hybrid 2.9 and 4.0 engines all got upgraded.

The number “4” in the model name, as in the Panamera 4, means that it is four-wheel drive, a feature that gives a powerful Panamera extra safety in slippery conditions. Some versions, such as the Turbo and the GTS, have the system as standard.

All Panamera have an automatic gearbox, air conditioning, leather seats, LED headlights and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with GPS. But not many Porsche buyers stop there, so when browsing the classifieds, make sure you understand the extras of the car and avoid paying extra for the more personal ones, such as special finishes and schematics. colours. On this last point, the Panamera is a big car so choose its color well. The few really desirable extras include the Sport Chrono package (it cuts the time slightly from 0-100 km / h), but most desirable of all is Porsche’s full service history. Don’t buy a used Panamera without it.