Porsche Panamera S - The Magnificent Car

Superbly flexible and refined, but downsizing arguably comes at a price

If the secret to improving a hybrid powertrain is the introduction of bigger and better batteries, the mechanical Elastoplast of choice for conventional engines is unquestionably downsizing and turbocharging. Both have been applied to the new Panamera S.

Porsche Panamera S front

The rousing brutishness of the old 4.8-liter V8 has been replaced by an incredibly well-mannered twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that is capable of 32.5mpg. essentially a heavily fettled version of Porsche’s 3.6-liter V6 (itself a chopped-down V8), the unit displays a new-found abundance of torque – a GTS-rivaling 383lb ft from 1750rpm to eradicate the previous Panamera S’s tendency to dilly-dally at low revs. Mated to an updated seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (the manual is no more) and with virtually no turbo lag, the clean-revving engine rarely challenges your patience.

Porsche Panamera S side

Being smaller and lighter, the new unit also sits farther back than the V8 did. Driving the rear wheels alone (the V6 is also available in the 4S), a better-honed sense of balance and a liberated front end is appreciable when pushing on. It’s in the pursuit of better comfort that Porsche has recalibrated spring and damper settings and reinforced the front suspension mounts, but the extra suppleness only enhances the extraordinary stability that the car consistently conjures up at speed.

Porsche Panamera S back

The V6’s flexibility and superb refinement feed directly into that theme and undoubtedly help to make a better GT of the Panamera. But not necessarily a better Porsche. For all its polish and answer-for-everything credentials, the new engine doesn’t quiet have the 7100rpm neck snap or braggadocio of the old V8. There are more rivals than ever at the fast four-door $120k mark, and although the s still deserves its place high among the best, a little something of what made it memorable has departed along with those two cylinders.

Porsche Panamera S interior

Porsche Panamera S saloon