Nobody strictly needs a Panamera Turbo S in the same way nobody needs a 50-inch LED television; as proven by yesterday's drive in the
newly facelifted version
a similar experience is offered by lesser models, even the hybrid. Yet there's an undeniable appeal in having the biggest and best, regardless of whether it's necessary.
550hp of black coated V8 turbo goodness
Turbo S
certainly offers more of everything Panamera shaped. Launched in 2011 lighter and more efficient turbo impellors accounted for a power gain over the standard Turbo from 530hp to 550hp. Combined with the standard PDK, launch control and 4WD, the 1,995kg Turbo S was hugely fast; it has been timed from 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds, making Porsche's 3.8-second claim to 62mph look conservative.
But Porsche Turbo status doesn't come cheap, of course. For a standard Panamera Turbo S (if such a thing exists), Porsche wanted £122,623. Suitably spruced from the Porsche extras catalogue, this particular S cost the original owner £140,000. You don't need to be a maths genius to see depreciation has been pretty epic, or appreciate the attraction of having a fully loaded V8 turbo flagship version for substantially less than the base price of the new V6.
4.8-litre V8 uprated by 50hp over standard Turbo
the advert
isn't great at differentiating between standard and optional equipment but the additional options are seemingly limited to a few fripperies like crests on the headrests. Fortunately, the desirable dynamic options were included on the Turbo S, making the equipment list something of an acronym fest. On top of the aforementioned PDK, there's PDCC anti-roll, PASM active suspension, the PCM infotainment set-up, PSM stability control and PTV torque vectoring across the rear axle.
The Turbo S remained a rather detached thing to drive, but then that's the Panamera way. What's on offer is a hugely fast and objectively capable car that is often rather aloof. The luxury saloon for drivers remains the Jaguar XJ, which looks particularly desirable as supercharged V8 Supersport for £69,995.
But this Turbo S was the most affordable version in the classifieds at £71,999, so what else do you compare it to? In an arbitrary new versus used duel, a BMW M5 is a similarly tech-heavy German saloon with over 500hp, but it's rather mainstream by comparison. An Aston Rapide is perhaps the most similar ideologically to the Panamera, with both created as four-seat sports cars than luxury saloons; we found a 2011 Rapide at £78,995.
Fully loaded and someone else has taken the hit
But why not a true four-seat sports car? Sure, a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti makes access to those rear seats trickier but then a Panamera wouldn't be bought for ultimate practicality in mind. It even boasts a design only an Italian mama could love. Buy one for
around £60,000
and there's even some of the budget left for Ferrari running costs.
Anyway, that's the wild card option, and there are of course more conventional saloon rivals from Maserati and Bentley. If the Panamera is the luxury sports coupe saloon for you, then a nearly half-price Turbo S is surely the best way to go. Hopefully there's still some money remaining for a new TV also...
Porsche Panamera Turbo S
Engine: V8, 4,806cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Power (hp): 550@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 590@2,500-4,000rpm (overboost)
MPG: 24.6 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 270g/km
First registered: 2011
Recorded mileage: 35,000
Price new: £122,623 (before options)
Yours for: £71,999
See the original ad here.