History & character

Launched in 2016, the second-generation Panamera — type 971 — addresses the principal criticism levelled at the 970 of 2009: a silhouette deemed ponderous. Porsche started afresh with a new platform, MSB, lowered the roofline and redrew a tail with 911-inspired styling. The cabin dispenses with the button-laden console in favour of touch-sensitive surfaces and a largely digital instrument cluster. The Turbo receives an all-new 4.0-litre biturbo V8, with turbochargers nestled within the V, paired with a PDK gearbox now offering eight speeds.

Behind the wheel, the Turbo reveals itself first as a grand tourer: the three-chamber air suspension, complemented on the options list by rear-axle steering and active anti-roll control, conceals its bulk without denying it. The V8 delivers its torque early, in a restrained sonic register that favours effortless reach over showmanship. The 971 distinguishes itself less through its figures than through this ability to shift character: hushed and long-legged when touring, instantly responsive the moment the throttle is opened.