We all spend too long in the classifieds searching out that perfectly specced dream car, right? The colour, wheels, transmission, options, that ideal model that everything would be sacrificed for.
"Yes, I really want an S on small wheels....
My current fascination is first-gen Caymans; a manual S would be fine without being too fussy on the other details. PH threw up this fabulous (and often overlooked)
Cayman S Sport
and a quick perusal of Auto Trader revealed a few lovely examples. One day...
Anyway, to the matter at hand. Selecting 'Porsche' and 'manual' saw a solitary Panamera offered. Surely that must be a mistake? Every man and his OPC wants a PDK Porsche, don't they? We've seen the press manual car back in 2012, the one Harris begged Porsche for; surely an actual customer hasn't bought one?
Well yes, someone has, and it must surely be the only Panamera of its kind. A Panamera S with three pedals and a stick must be rare enough as it is, but this car is particularly individual. It's rolling on 19s for a start, which have never done anything for the Panamera's aesthetic and means there are loads of Panameras on 20s. Inside, there's brown leather and burr walnut trim which can't be too popular. The end result is far from disastrous, just a little surprising. Can you imagine the look on the dealer's face when this specification was ordered?
... with the walnut and a manual. Definitely."
But here's the thing; from those that have experienced the manual V8 S Panam (and there aren't many), the view is unanimously positive. Harris compared it to an E39 M5 and Dan maintains it's the best Panamera he's driven. The
Turbo
Hybrid
may take their respective headlines but there's a real driver's Porsche here for those brave enough. How many are willing to take the plunge remains to be seen.
At £45K, being a manual hasn't adversely affected the car's residuals too badly as yet. This PDK Panamera S, older but with slightly less miles is a thousand pounds less, for example.
But what on earth else could be considered alongside a V8 Porsche saloon with a manual gearbox? The same money buys a Quattroporte GT S, a wonderful car but of course running a conventional auto. The F1-style transmission of a Ferrari 612 is probably as close to a manual as it's possible to be, but again it's not the same. If anyone can find a modern 400hp big saloon with a manual, we would love to see it.
Until then we'll keep eyes on this Panamera as there's something quite alluring about it. The dealer will probably have it for quite a while too!
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: 2010
Recorded mileage: 29,500
Price new: £78,221
Yours for: £45,990
See the original advert here