The third generation version of Porsche's Panamera luxury five-door Gran Turismo model has been usefully evolved. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Named after the Carrera Panamerican road race, Porsche's Panamera is the brand's offering to Luxury segment buyers wanting spacious rear seat accommodation and a properly sporting Gran Turismo driving experience. This model could have ended up being a four-door version of the company's 911 coupe or a low-slung interpretation of the marque's Cayenne luxury SUV. In the event, it's very much its own car, a long, low five-door hatch that still offers something very different in its sector. This revitalised MK3 model not only looks a little smarter but also offers an improved V8 PHEV option - and an extremely clever 'Active Ride' suspension option. Whatever your preference, for boardroom buyers who yearn for Brands Hatch, this car promises to be a tempting proposition.

Background

So there is still to be a place in Porsche's model line for this car, the Panamera. When the similarly sized and shaped all-electric Taycan was launched by the brand in 2020, it did seem as if the Panamera's days might be numbered. Instead, Porsche has produced this third generation model, a subtly evolved version of the second generation design that was first launched in 2017, then updated three years later. Like all Panameras made to date, starting with the MK1 incarnation back in 2009, Porsche sees this as a 'Gran Turismo', the kind of car that allows two rear seat passengers to recline in comfort while the driver enjoys himself. Forget Audi A8s and BMW 7 Series models. Think instead, faster versions of the Audi A7 or Mercedes CLS, perhaps a Maserati Quattroporte or even the old Aston Martin Rapide. In other words, a four-door luxury conveyance to really get the pulses racing. This car won't be chauffeur-driven. It shouldn't be anyway. It would, after all, be such a shame to ignore all of this Panamera's dynamic attributes and merely treat it as a limo. Mind you, if need be this MK3 version can function that way more easily thanks to its greater rear seat space and larger boot. There's also a more digitalised cabin and a clever new suspension system. Lots to talk about then. But does the Panamera still have a credible role to play in a Porsche line-up increasingly focused towards full-electric models? Time to find out.

Driving Experience

Though the Panamera has always been big, wide and heavy, Porsche has always somehow managed to make it feel like a Porsche - and of course nothing's changed in that regard with this G3-era design. Air suspension's now standard and it delivers a truly brilliant combination of supple ride and the kind of connected feel you want from the brand. The steering's just as good, such a perfect combination of feel and response that it's small wonder that Zuffenhausen doesn't want to share its engineering with VW Group partner Audi. Talking of Audi, underpinning all of this is essentially the same Modular Sport Toolkit platform that Porsche had to share with Ingolstadt with the old G2 Panamera model, though for this replacement G3 design, that chassis features significant modifications. The engine range does too, familiar though it might look at first glance. The entry-level 2.9-litre V6 petrol unit we tried (offered with rear or four-wheel drive) has been completely revised, with changes to fuel injection flow rate, ignition timing and boost pressure. Together, these enhancements have increased power output by 23PS - to 353PS. The same 2.9-litre V6 is also used in two six cylinder Plug-in Hybrid variants; the E-Hybrid version (with 470PS) and in the 4S E-Hybrid (with 544PS). Those dramatically increased power outputs come courtesy of a 190PS electric motor inserted into the housing of the heavily revised version of the ZF-built PDK 8-speed dual clutch auto transmission that all Panameras now use. The big difference this time round is that this motor is mated to a much larger battery, boosted in size from 17.9 to 25.9kWh. Hence EV range figures that are almost doubled over the equivalent previous generation models - to 59 miles for the E-Hybrid and 56 miles for the 4S E-Hybrid. There's still a throbbing 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 petrol powerplant for top-of-the-range models, but like the V6 unit it too has been fundamentally altered, with everything different except the block. You can still get this powertrain in conventional form - in the form of the 500PS GTS model, which sprints to 62mph in just 3.8s on the way to 188mph to the accompaniment of a wonderful snarl. But most Panamera customers who want a V8 will order it mated to PHEV tech, where in combination with the E-motor we just mentioned, it produces 680PS in the Turbo E-Hybrid model, allowing 62mph to flash by in just 3.2s on the way to 196mph, with EV range of 57 miles. Should that level of performance be somehow insufficient, you can ask your Porsche Centre about an even more powerful Turbo S E-Hybrid flagship model which offers 782PS, makes 62mph in 2.9s and manages 202mph. EV range is 52 miles. Other than engines, the big choice for Panamera customers lies with suspension. Earlier, we mentioned the standardisation of the air-sprung set-up across the range; it's a 'PASM' 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' adaptive system that combines with a semi-active anti-roll bar and uses more sophisticated two-valve dampers that have allowed Porsche to switch from the previous three-chamber set-up to a simple two-chamber arrangement. And it works both together and independently of the three drive modes ('Normal', 'Sport' and 'Sport Plus'); and can be set at four levels - 'Lift', 'Normal', 'Lowered' and 'Low'. For those who want to go further, Porsche now offers an even more advanced suspension set-up called 'Active Ride', offered as a fearsomely expensive option and only available with the Plug-in Hybrid variants because their 400V hybrid system is necessary to power its hydraulic pumps.

Design and Build

You won't need us to tell you that this third generation Panamera design is very much a case of evolution over revolution. You might even mistake this for a further facelifted version of the old MK2 model. But no, Porsche insists the design is completely different and it all sits on a heavily updated version of the Modular Sport Toolkit platform introduced with the previous model that the brand developed with Bentley. Get up close and you'll start to appreciate the visual changes and stretched proportions that make this the sleekest Panamera yet. There's only now this five-door Gran Turismo-style body shape, the old Sport Turismo estate having been dropped. Perhaps the most obvious outside change lies at the more athletic-looking front end with its redesigned headlights; the front grille is also different, as are the wheels. As before there's a probing bonnet, a shallow glasshouse and an angled liftback, plus that tailgate's now frameless and the bodywork has tauter surfacing. Turbo models are set apart this time round, benefiting from a more aggressive body kit and a triple panel fold-out rear wing. If you specify the optional 'Active Ride' suspension system, the car lifts by 5.5cm when the doors open to make it easy to get in. Inside up-front, again initial familiarity with the 'Porsche Driver Experience Control' layout gives way after closer inspection to appreciation of considerable change. There's an even more digital experience: the centre touchscreen, the digital instruments and the steering wheel are all new and there's a driving mode dial and a dash-mounted gear selector from the Porsche Taycan. Media connectivity takes another step forward too. As before, there's a high centre console and there's still the option of a passenger display inset into the dashboard. Access to the rear has been improved with larger door apertures. And once inside at the back, there's more legroom. Boot space is enhanced too - to 494-litres; the trunk now has space for two golf bags, following a direct request from Panamera project leader Thomas Friemuth. Or the V6 version does anyway; the Turbo S E-Hybrid PHEV variant's boot capacity falls to 421-litres. Seats-down capacity varies from 1,328-litres with the standard models to 1,255-litres for the Turbo E-Hybrid.

Market and Model

Prices start at £82,500, which gets you the standard 2.9-litre V6 rear-driven Panamera. You'll need just over £86,000 for the AWD Panamera 4 with the same engine. It's around £91,000 for the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid; and around £102,000 for the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid. From there it's a big jump to around £126,000 for the Panamera GTS and just over £145,000 for the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid PHEV. If you can stretch to nearly £170,000, an even faster Turbo S E-Hybrid model is at the top of the range. As we've said elsewhere in this review, it's no longer possible to get the old Sport Turismo estate body style. The key option, 'Active ride', is only available with the PHEV versions. And the two Turbo variants get a bit more visual differentiation with this MK3 model. This includes a new 'Turbonite' bronze colour scheme and satin grey colouring for various bits of the bodywork and interior; plus for this top model, Porsche has coloured its crest in 'Turbonite'. Turbo models also feature special centre-lock wheels too. Across the range, there are new colours available - the brand is trying to persuade customers away from the usual dour blacks, greys and silvers. For the inside, there are any number of trimming inlay and upholstery choices. And you might want to add an extra display to the passenger side of the front fascia.

Cost of Ownership

The efficiency readings for the more affordable 2.9-litre V6-engined Panamera and Panamera 4 models don't differ very much from their direct predecessors. For the base rear-driven Panamera, that means a combined fuel figure of 29.4mpg and a best possible CO2 return of 219g/km. For the Panamera 4, you're looking at up to 28.0mpg and up to 230g/km. Obviously the V6 Hybrids do much better; the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid returns up to 282.5mpg on the combined cycle and up to 22g/km of CO2. For the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, the figures are up to 256.8mpg and up to 24g/km of CO2. These PHEV models always start in the purely electric E-Power mode. Once the state of charge of the battery is under a certain minimum value, the system automatically switches to Hybrid Auto mode, which adapts the operating strategy to the current driving situation. In E-Hold mode, the current state of charge of the battery is preserved. In E-Charge mode, on the other hand, the combustion engine charges the battery to up to 80 per cent out of town and above 34mph, while the Panamera utilises the efficiency benefits of the hybrid drive in city traffic. What about the V8 PHEV version? Well now that Porsche has its all-electric Taycan model also competing in this market space, the Plug-in Hybrid Panamera, the Turbo E-Hybrid, has had to up its electrified game. That's why the relatively small 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery used in the previous Panamera PHEV (which itself replaced an even smaller 14.1kWh battery used in the original Panamera Hybrid) has been replaced by a gutsier 25.9kWh item for this MK3 model. As a result, the WLTP-rated all-electric driving range has increased significantly - now WLTP-rated at between 47 to 56 miles (up from a best of 33 miles before). As for the official efficiency stats, the Turbo E-Hybrid is WLTP rated at 166.2-235.4mpg on the combined cycle and 26-38g/km of CO2. Because the bigger battery's 300kg weight is only 22kg heavier than before and it's supported by an 11kW on-board AC charger (a replacement for the old 3.6kW unit), charging times are significantly faster than before.

Summary

The market has always offered very fast, very luxurious full-sized Luxury saloons. Rarely though, have they been very rewarding to drive. The Panamera has always been different, very much in a class of its own for boardroom buyers who don't spend all their lives wafting up and down autobahns. In its earlier forms, it was so nearly a truly great car. So nearly the impressively complete contender this third generation model now is. We approve of the enhancements to digital cabin technology, engine efficiency, boot space and rear seat room. And the optional 'Active Ride' system is industry-leading. Of course, we're not blind to this car's failings. Prices have risen substantially, something that would be easier to stomach had Porsche not been so mean with some aspects of the standard spec and consigned so many important features to the options list. Some still struggle with the styling too and will prefer the kind of conventional luxury saloon that will give you a bigger, deeper boot. Limo-like models of that sort though, wouldn't see which way this car went on a twisty road. Nor are they as practical for leisure use. So the Panamera has come good then - but maybe too late to save itself as a credible long term model line. For some, the introduction of Porsche's full-EV Taycan model has confirmed this car's dinosaur status. But others, who maybe aren't quite ready to have their lives ruled by a still somewhat flaky public charging infrastructure, will find in the now much improved PHEV segments of the Panamera range perhaps an ideal combination of old-school combustion involvement and futuristic electrified technology. In summary, if you still enjoy driving and like the way that this contender looks, you'll love the way it rewards you at the wheel. The Panamera's unconventional. It's unique. But best of all, it's a proper Porsche.