Thursday 17th November 2011

LA Show: Porsche Panamera GTS

Panamera GTS plugs allegedly obvious niche for a track-focused four-seat Porsche

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Aw, how sweet, four guys playing in a Porsche

The Porsche Panamera GTS making its world debut at the LA Show is, according to the slightly bromance-heavy promo film, the car of choice for those four-up trackday sessions you probably haven't always dreamed of. Cancel the GT3 RS 4.0, this, apparently, is the track Porsche you always dreamed of.

Slightly faster than a 4S but not as quick as a Turbo, the Panamera GTS proves Porsche's obsession with milking ever more tenuous sub-variants from a single model isn't confined to the 911. And, putting it generously, offers an answer to a question nobody in particular was asking.

Looks like a Turbo, goes like a 4S

So what have we got? Well, a few more horsepower - 30 to be precise - than the 400hp standard 4S for starters. 70hp shy of the Turbo but enough for those all-important bragging rights. Based on the normally-aspirated 4.8-litre V8, the GTS engine also has 383lb ft and hits 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds thanks to the Sport Chrono assisted launch control option on the standard-fit PDK transmission. It makes more noise doing it too thanks to a button-controlled 'Sound Symposer' and standard sports exhaust.

Like the old Cayenne GTS, the Panamera GTS gets plenty of luxurious trimmings too, not least an Alcantara roof lining to satisfy all your tactile delights. Sports seats finish the look, the only disappointment being that Porsche didn't decide to base this supposedly track-biased Panamera on the much-overlooked rear-wheel drive version.

Oh, and if you thought the idea of a track-spec Panamera was a joke wait until you hear the £90,409 punchline...

[greggmufc]

I look at the pic of just the front of the car and I think wow, that is so sexy...... Then you see the back and want to throw up!

[dandare1001]

greggmufc said:

I look at the pic of just the front of the car and I think wow, that is so sexy...... Then you see the back and want to throw up!

+1

[menguin]

Porsche sure know how to keep themselves all over the motoring press! Print out some badges, change the engine map, add some words to a brochure and you've got articles everywhere! You don't even need to announce a new car!

[Beefmeister]

greggmufc said:

I look at the pic of just the front of the car and I think wow, that is so sexy...... Then you see the back and want to throw up!

Agreed. If this was the front end of a new 928 with a big V8 up front it'd be amazing!

[rob.e]

menguin said:

Porsche sure know how to keep themselves all over the motoring press! Print out some badges, change the engine map, add some words to a brochure and you've got articles everywhere! You don't even need to announce a new car!

Yep, they've been at it for years. Porsche really is a marketing company that happens to also make some cars.

Still and ugly fker though isn't it?! And 90 grand?!!

No thanks.

[tr7v8]

But I still like it! And in that colour it is superb, looks better in the flesh than in pictures & is very colour sensitive. Surprised at how many I saw on the road in the US last year.

[nickfrog]

rob.e said:

Porsche really is a marketing company that happens to also make some cars.

Maybe but that doesn't bother me as I find their cars are even better than their marketing.

[Stuart]

I'm an unabashed apologist for the Panamera, just because it's such a great car to drive, and the interior and space is fantastic by comparison to the Rapide. I really would love one.

Adding another model to the range just between two cars which aren't markedly different anyway and constructing a marketing justification for doing so like this, not so much...

[pSyCoSiS]

I like the look of this.

They look much better in the flesh, and this colour really suits it.

Why 4 people would want to sit in a car, around a track, is beyond me, however.

Wouldn't the weight of the occupants affect the handling of the car?

[Stuart]

Quite. I can't imagine why you'd really want to track a Panamera of any sort, but I'm sure that people must. Like any big and (comparatively) heavy car like this, they must monster tyres and brakes.

[Rawwr]

Every part of me screams that I shouldn't like it but I can't help but love it. It's a quirky luxobarge that I think people will grow to love over the long, long term.

The Ferrari 400 and 412 were dismissed for years but now they are perceived as pure style and class. I think the same will happen with the Panamera. Maybe.

[johnycarrera]

All wrong, it should be RWD and manual!

[toppstuff]

The track car angle is just silly nonsense. The publicists inside Porsche are silly fools.

But there is a lot about this car to like. Plenty of power, a lot of quality and room inside for your friends and family.

The price places it below the Turbo and cars like the Aston Rapide ( which is a silly, silly, car that is selling poorly ) and more expensive than a Mercedes, which is where I suspect Porsche would want it to be.

As a daily driver that can do practically everything you want from a car, it seems perfect to me. I'd love one.

[Lord Flathead]

Lose two doors and make a modern 928GTS. Four door track car? Ludicrous!

[MrCarCoach]

johnycarrera said:

All wrong, it should be RWD and manual!

Couldn't agree more, at least then it would mark it out to be something a bit different.

[Luca Brasi]

I quite like that

[Guvernator]

I thought given the grace of time that the Panemera might grow on me....Nope still pig ugly! I really can not understand how anyone can say they like the looks of this car. It is an absolute mess so please don't encourage them.

[epom]

saw a turbo variant a while back, and it was almost handsome...

[r1ch]

Truly a marmite car.

Personally I loved the panamera since it first came out, i'd love a go in one of these.

[billzeebub]

I don't care how it drives that car looks more offensive to me than a Sepp Blatter comment..M5 every time and have some cash laeft over for a sunday car