Fancy a stick-shift super-saloon? This Panamera represents a rare opportunity if so...
I don't know whether to take the credit or the blame for this one: but this Panamera exists largely because of a conversation I had with Porsche GB at the back-end of 2009.
Porsche lent me a manual Panamera 2S for a few days while I was shooting two stories.
I thought they were taking the piss at first, but after a few miles it was clear that the stick-shift saloon was actually a complete hoot.
On my return I begged Porsche GB to spec a manual for the press fleet and one duly appeared six months later. It's the connection between these two events that leads me to the conclusion that I had something to do with its arrival. I know - tenuous at best.
It's a rare old beast, but for me it works. It's not as fast as a Turbo, but it makes a much better noise and it's still got 400bhp. Think E39 M5 performance, plus a little bit more, and you'll get the idea.
Moreover, if you're someone who wishes there was a super-saloon that still had a manual gearbox, this is the only car to fit those criteria.
For going to places far away, very fast, the Panamera remains at the top of my list.
PORSCHE PANAMERA S Engine: 4,806cc V8 Transmission:6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Power (hp):400@6,500rpm Torque (lb ft):368@3,500-5,000rpm MPG:22.6 CO2:293g/km First registered: 2011 Recorded mileage:10,672 Price new: £78,221 Yours for: £54,990
I love it, but I can see why most manufacturers never put manual gearboxes into their super-saloons - It's because they're not designed to be 'driver's' cars and they're targeted at the sort of people that have far too much money and self importance to be expected to change gear themselves...just imagine the indignity of having to change gear like a poor person?
so with your endorsement and rave review at EVO and now blessing on the PH site the sales have been doing well? Cause last time i looked the number of manual panameras in the UK you could count on one hand? That includes the press car you drove.
I love the Panamera. The haters are talking out of their hats.
I love the notion of a manual one, too.
And so you think you were responsible for making Porsche UK decide on their press car spec policy eh? Who are, Lord Harry Metcalfe? You'll be taking credit for the next generation 911 next..
Love the idea of this in a world of flappy paddles.....I just find the looks very,very challenging. Maybe driving one helps overcome that ?
It really does, they are fabulous to drive or be driven in.
A quick look on the Porsche website reveals the cheapest approved used Panamera to be a 2010 manual S at £50k with a low 9517 miles. They are very dear secondhand compared to, say the new Jaguar XJ which seem to represent astonishing used value at the moment.
Yeah that is the thing Chris, you may like it. There may be the same Pub chat endorsment here of it being the thinking mans Porsche. But then value of it in the real world would be still quite high after a year as the kudos of it being better would hold it afloat, such as your 997 4.0 That is a £24-30k test of faith in the word of the Harris and a true believer will show that they still believe he is the truth and the light by buying this manual Panamera! Amen
Panamera, love, manual Panamera, potentially love even more. One of my favourite drives that, was stunned at how good they actually are after having incredibly low expectations.
as the manual gets older it will be worth more for 2 reasons, 1,there will be buyers wanting a stick, , 2 less to go wrong,a clutch is going be a lot cheaper than a auto box, ie, m3 ,range rover,audi there autos go wrong regularly and your looking at £2-£3k to fix
