Why did the Panamera Sport Turismo die?

Why did the Panamera Sport Turismo die?

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RDMcG

Original Poster:

19,163 posts

207 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
quotequote all
Of course I am aware of the normal Panamera dislike...ugly etc.

Full disclosure- I have a Panamera ST Turbo that I bought new.

I was always surprised that they did not outsell the saloon though as I thought they looked a lot better. Of course, SUVs are the market now, high stance, easy to enter and exit, theoretically good for impossible trails etc, but I was surprised it did not do better.

Still, I was surprised how rarely I came across one and issue that there will be fewer to see. Bought one new and specced it exactly the way I wanted.Still a single generation Porsche product. I will hang onto mine.


Discombobulate

4,846 posts

186 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
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Taycan ST and CT were the nails in the coffin.

GT3ZZZ

926 posts

170 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
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Discombobulate said:
Taycan ST and CT were the nails in the coffin.
Lol smile))

SUV's were the nail in the coffin. Pan ST was unbelievably dull and heavy. Not as practical as the equivalent fast SUV. Let alone a M5 CS.

kenofkens

82 posts

145 months

Tuesday 28th November 2023
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Why? Doesn't that picture make you go 'ahh yes that's why' it does me. I really want to go Clarkson on this car, i hate every part of this lardy overweight hideous people carrier. Imagine a 4 seater Countach or other iconic car. No. It deserves to go in the bin yesterday.


andyeds1234

2,284 posts

170 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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I love the ST, and think it’s one of the best looking Porsche models, but SUVs just sell in more volume. I’m also not sure how anyone who has driven a Turbo model could describe it as “dull and heavy” wobble

Cheib

23,260 posts

175 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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I didn’t know they’d killed it…that’s a shame. I think the Panny is a great car and drives so well…but I do daily a Cayenne smile I was thinking a new Panamera ST Hybrid might be a possible next car with the ether range…that won’t be happening it seems. Won’t be getting a Taycan that’s for sure.

DMC2

1,834 posts

211 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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Discombobulate said:
Taycan ST and CT were the nails in the coffin.
Lol. Ironic considering the Taycan is now dead!

LRDefender

156 posts

8 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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Fashion.

I like the ST and would consider owning one but they are unfashionable to the relevant 'premium' car buying public. If the sales figures don't add up then the right thing for the company to do is bin it.


Discombobulate

4,846 posts

186 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
DMC2 said:
Lol. Ironic considering the Taycan is now dead!
Taycan ST/CT made the Panamera feel very dated - and slow (Turbo Panamera aside). They look so much better too.

As for dead? Hardly. 123,000 sold so far, 28,000 in first 9 months of this year (up 11% on 2022). Although I doubt they are selling that many at the moment as there is a month's worth of sales in stock at UK OPCs (600+ cars).
Current market aside, like it or not, the Taycan - and its ilk - are the future and I would still like one. It's the Panamera that's dead.


Percy.

772 posts

74 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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Discombobulate said:
Taycan ST/CT made the Panamera feel very dated - and slow (Turbo Panamera aside). They look so much better too.

As for dead? Hardly. 123,000 sold so far, 28,000 in first 9 months of this year (up 11% on 2022). Although I doubt they are selling that many at the moment as there is a month's worth of sales in stock at UK OPCs (600+ cars).
Current market aside, like it or not, the Taycan - and its ilk - are the future and I would still like one. It's the Panamera that's dead.
I personally feel that the Taycan, Taycan ST and Taycan CT are some of the best looking new cars on sale

braddo

10,492 posts

188 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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For me they're too much of an inverse tardis. I would have loved a downsized version, the same drivetrain but say the size of a 5-series / A6 estate.

Mosdef

1,739 posts

227 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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braddo said:
For me they're too much of an inverse tardis. I would have loved a downsized version, the same drivetrain but say the size of a 5-series / A6 estate.
I’m not sure they’re miles apart from a 5 series or A6, let alone the RS6, which is one of the closer competitors. Width wise they’re:

Porsche - 1,937mm
BMW - 1,868mm
Audi - 1,866mm
RS6 - 1,936mm

Lengthwise they are:

Porsche - 5,049mm
BMW - 4,963mm
Audi - 4, 939mm
RS6 - 4,979mm

The Panamera is definitely big but not materially bigger than the M, AMG, RS cars most would compare them with.

As to why it’s no longer in production, in Europe at least, buyers’ tastes and sales figures speak for themselves. The boot on the ST just isn’t big enough compared to something like a Cayenne. It’s also quite a tricky car to sell, not only due to the arrival of the Taycan but also due to the price point being so much higher than perceived competitors. We have a Cayenne as well as a Panamera and the difference between the two is night and day, that’s not to say the Cayenne is bad but it’s by no means a fairly luxurious GT.

For me, the Panamera is pretty much perfect, it won’t swallow much luggage but I can do long journeys every week without any range anxiety, the space inside is much better than a Taycan and it fits my very long legs with someone behind me. I chose it over the BMW, Audi, Mercedes offering a because it’s more relaxing when I want it to be and feels better engineered. But, I have a very specific use case that wouldn’t be applicable to most, so accept I’m in a tiny minority!


RDMcG

Original Poster:

19,163 posts

207 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
quotequote all
I think you have nailed it.
Also a Cayenne and ST owner and I agree with your remarks on the difference between the two. I knew when I ordered it that it was a minority taste. It was even less popular than I expected but the. market for any kind of station wagon is shrinking as the SUV market dominates.

I did not think it is a slow ponderous car as some have remarked here. However, obviously not a popular choice but no regrets about buying it and will hang onto it.

Grantstown

971 posts

87 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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I think the Panny ST looks great, but it has been expensive compared to getting a Macan turbo as one example. I’d much rather a Panny to the wife’s RR personally.

oddball1313

1,195 posts

123 months

Wednesday 29th November 2023
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I picked up my hybrid ST a few weeks back, guess it must be one the last in the UK. Great car, definitely better quality build than the Taycan and its a fantastic mile eater, you could drive 500 miles in it and be fresh as a daisy when you arrive. Load capacity is good, if you need more then maybe you need a van?

jackliebling

506 posts

173 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
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Can't understand why they would stop making these!!

Charlie_1

1,013 posts

92 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
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Discombobulate said:
DMC2 said:
Lol. Ironic considering the Taycan is now dead!
Taycan ST/CT made the Panamera feel very dated - and slow (Turbo Panamera aside). They look so much better too.

As for dead? Hardly. 123,000 sold so far, 28,000 in first 9 months of this year (up 11% on 2022). Although I doubt they are selling that many at the moment as there is a month's worth of sales in stock at UK OPCs (600+ cars).
Current market aside, like it or not, the Taycan - and its ilk - are the future and I would still like one. It's the Panamera that's dead.
Well the fact you actually want a Taycan says a great deal about your taste , Panamera everyday

Terry Winks

1,189 posts

13 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
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I wanted one when I got my Macan 3 years ago as a daily, but it was purely down to the cost, At the time the Macan was 30k and the cheapest ST was at least double.

RDMcG

Original Poster:

19,163 posts

207 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
quotequote all
No doubt it was too expensive for the market. When I ordered mine I got the Turbo and did a pretty heavy spec. Not cheap at all, and I was well aware it would likely depreciate like crazy.

Yet, I wanted a big long distance car for whacking around Europe and the US and it filled the bill well. I would respectively disagree with those who think it is slow and ponderous though.

I did put on torque vectoring etc in the build, and acceleration at 3.6sec to 60 seems adequate. I also drove it at 180 MPH on the autobahn and it was rock solid during a 5000 km tour.

I even tracked it- not of course like a proper sports car, but was surprised how well it did apart from almost wearing out the brakes. I will keep it and just drive the thing. I am about to drive from Toronto to Scottsdale Arizona and it is an ideal choice, proper winter tires and will do it effortlessly.

Coming up from Eau Rouge:


Discombobulate

4,846 posts

186 months

Thursday 30th November 2023
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Charlie_1 said:
Well the fact you actually want a Taycan says a great deal about your taste , Panamera everyday
That's it different to yours smile I can live with that.
And I have driven both. Neither is a sports car, obviously, but I much prefer the Taycan as a daily lugger. Quiet, refined and very fast. And, to my eyes, better looking. But good thing we are not all the same.