Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo
SPORTS-LUXURY WAGON, Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. The Panamera Sport Turismo remains faithful to the same-name concept vehicle that in 2012 first showcased a sleekly styled, shooting brake-style variation of Porsche’s big sedan. Buyers have endured a teasing wait for this production version that sits alongside a second-generation Panamera four-door, which also now visually pleases rather than polarises. If the Sport Turismo hardly provides the practicality leap typically experienced between sedan and wagon body styles, there is at least some extended versatility in evidence. Different from the door pillar backwards, the Sport Turismo’s slightly higher and extended roofline liberates an extra 20 litres of cargo space. Within the cabin, the sedan’s fourseater layout is switched to a 4+1 configuration that accommodates a child (instead of a console) in the centre rear seat.
“Great idea for a 4+1 layout that provides practicality without having to opt for a Macan or Cayenne Porsche SUV,” said Leticia Estrada. “Great practicality; plenty of room for the kids,” added Michael Roberts. Up front are the same digital-biased infotainment and instrument displays that make the Panamera sedan the first Porsche to truly embrace the Google World (though you can still admire an analogue tachometer). Nathan Robinson compared the Sport Turismo to the Mercedes-AMG in the Car of the Year field. “It’s similar to the E63 in that it’s a family performance car – almost like a station wagon with its usefully sized boot.” The performance side of that equation is accounted for by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 delivering 404kW and 700Nm to the road, via an eight-speed dual-clutch manual transmission and all-wheel drive.
Although the Turbo Sport Turismo is slightly heavier and therefore fractionally slower than its sedan stablemate, it still needs only 3.8 seconds to reach 100km/h from standstill. It’s equally rampant through the gears. Pressing the ‘Sport Response’ button on the steering wheel’s cleverly placed drivemode dial unleashes full performance – and optimised overtaking – for up to 20 seconds. Michael Stahl offered that the Panamera’s relative abilities on a track were perhaps not that surprising considering the Porsche badge, and that its blend of comfort and confidence on the road were more enlightening. “It’s a big car, yet it’s both graceful and assertive on the road,” he said. “Then consider that dogs, sports gear, whatever else can go in the back and it’s hard to think of a better allround performance wagon.” That judges were more enamoured with the styling of this generation and version of the Panamera than the last was merely a bonus. – JEZ SPINKS
Engine
4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power/torque
404kW/770Nm
Transmission
Eight-speed dual-clutch manual; all-wheel drive
Weight
2035kg
Performance
0-100km/h in 3.8 sec; maximum speed 304km/h
Price
$390,700 (as tested $415,670)
Sources: Robb Report Australia, July 2018
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