I was invited to attend the first public showing of the Panamera in Carmel. I drove the S model but there were 31 cars available including turbo and 4S models. It is an incredible car, the interior is perfect, the exterior is much nicer in person. As with most new designs, some people will not care for the car. Performance was unbelievable, it is very sporty, we drove up a winding road in Carmel Valley and even the S was tight around the corners, the 4S and turbo will likely be even better. The only real issue is price point, it is not cheap add a few options and most cars will be over $100,000 and timing for the release could not be worse. The Panamera will start hitting dealers next month and available to order in October.

 

I am afraid that no matter how good this car is, it will "die on the vine". At that price point, there are so many good, less expensice alternatives. Unless you have money to throw away, which is what Porsche is still counting on.

 

Please tell me what car offers AWD, 400bhp+, dual-clutch transmission, seat four *comfortably*, and has the usual "creature comforts" available such as adaptive cruise-control, sirius/xm, nav, keyless-go. I don't know of any vehicle on the market meeting all of those requirements, but perhaps you do?

It is priced competitively when compared against the "main contenders" in this rarefied air of super-luxo sedans such as the Merc S63, Maserati Quatrroporte and Audi S8.

It is a rare car that can please both Richard Hammond *and* James May in the same trip...

 

we drove it today as well. absolute blast. we drove a basalt black on tan 4s. we found a little side street down by hwy 1 and did about 6 launch control starts. very impressed with the car, the pdk makes the car amazingly entertaining to drive. great machine.

 

Doesn't matter how "great" it is... it's an ugly car plain and simple

It's one of the ugliest cars ever created... Up there with the pontiac aztek - It's just terrible looking, and like the aztek, cannot be made to look good no matter how you modify it

 

That's an entirely subjective opinion. Certain exterior views are fantastic, the interior (where one will spend most of the time) is superb.
Yes, it does have a bit of a big caboose. I thought the same thing of the Ferrari California. I think it grows on you. But I wouldn't be spending a lot of time looking at the rear of the car anyway.

Thankfully, you won't have to buy one if you really think it's on-par with an Aztec. Ain't the free-market great?!

 

I think from the front and from the front 1/4 view the Panamera is looks superb. im not sure about the rear yet or the side shot of the rear, but i also have not seen it in person yet. the interior, like all Porsches is amazing in every way. the performance (panamera turbo especially) is incredible too! it (turbo) makes the m5 and quattroporte look like childs toys.
If we want to talk about ugly cars...on par with the aztek...we need to start talking about the bmw x6...that thing is pure ugly and anyone who buys one has absolutely no taste at all IMO.

 

Don't like it! Look like a stretched 4 door Boxster with a 911 rear end. The Aston Martin Rapide is a much better looking 4 door sports car but I haven't seen either in person.

 

agreed. Ugliest rear ever

 

Most of the luxury sedans (Benz, BMW, Maserati... especially the Maserati) have been great looking cars from their conception to introduction

Even the more "controversial" elements of other sedans (bangle rear of the last gen 7 series) were nowhere near as bad as the entire Panamera...

All subjective... of course

 

Actually the new 2010 Mercedes E550 4matic is close to your description. Sure, it definitely will not perform as good as the Porsche, but it can sit 5 people, has more luggage space, and cost at least 30% less.

For someone like me who already has a 911 for sport driving, I would rather have more space than more performance in my family sedan.

 

Its definitely a nice car, but it can't compare to the S class which is in my opinion the best large mass produced sedan ever made. For the same money I would take a s63amg any day. Scratch that a slightly used 08 S65 AMG is even better. With so much competition in the market their are a lot of other good choices also (S8, 750i, Maserati, Aston Martin, Jaguar xj, Lexus LS)

 

I agree with you on the S-Class comment.

You can also get a pre-owned Flying Spur for the same or less money too...

That being said, I really like the Panamera and I'd bet money none of the cars you listed will provide as visceral a driving experience as the Porsche.

 

Very interesting, Germans say Panamera's rivals are MB CLS 63 & M/Quattroporte GT S! Not S class and BMW 7 series. A little expensive for such toy! And also interesting will Porsche pay VERTU for stolen interior design?

 

The new BMW 750 looks like a better alternative to me if you already have a sports car.

I don't care for the S class due to poor steering feel and feedback. There is also some parts of the interior that look a bit cheep.