Used 2017 Porsche Panamera

When Porsche first introduced the 4-door Panamera, a lot of Porsche purists were put off. The design was awkward and the handling was nowhere near that of other Porsche cars. Fast-forward to the all-new 2017 Porsche Panamera, and you’ll find a re-boot with crisper styling, better performance and all the right bits to create a 4-door Porsche even the most stubborn enthusiast would be proud to own. Easily the equal of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Audi RS 7, the new Panamera makes the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Maserati Quattroporte feel a bit outdated. With power ranging from 440 to 550 horsepower, Porsche’s Panamera 4S and Turbo for 2017 promise impressive performance with an equally impressive suspension, steering and brake setup to match.

Where the previous Panamera demonstrated good performance, ride and handling characteristics, the new 2017 Panamera Turbo makes the old car seem like a relic. The steering is crisp and precise, aided by a host of electronic upgrades in the optional Sport package that includes rear-wheel steering and launch control. Helping the Panamera round corners like any good Porsche is an air suspension and active torque vectoring. Power is routed to all four wheels, although a rear-drive model S model is rumored to arrive next year. Shifting is handled by a new 8-speed PDK automatic transmission, which may be Porsche’s best automatic to date and good enough to silence the “save-the-manuals” crowd. Performance from the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 is impressive to say the least. With 550 horsepower on tap, there is no shortage of neck-snapping passing power. But, even the 4S, with its 440-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, is no slouch.

The 2017 Porsche Panamera features a revised interior filled with pleasing shapes and rich accents. The seats are amazingly comfortable, with multiple adjustments to help almost any driver find a comfortable position. More headroom is added in back where two 6-foot occupants can still find ample legroom. High-tech features abound, but the most noticeable is a massive navigation screen so clear it puts some HD TVs to shame. A large center tachometer is flanked by a configurable screen that can be optioned to include all manner of functions, from displaying road maps to an infrared image of the road ahead.

Porsche’s Panamera sports sedan for 2017 shares not a single panel with the outgoing model, yet it is immediately recognizable. The hood and front fascia are squared up a bit, with stronger character lines to make the Panamera a bit more menacing. The familiar curved hatchback rear end is still in place, but the rear fenders are wider, as is the car itself. The 2017 Panamera is only about an inch longer than the 2016 car, but it looks bigger and more substantial. Familiar features like the LED headlights are here, as are new toys such as the 4-position adaptive rear spoiler.

BURMESTER AUDIO
Developed exclusively for Porsche, the Burmester 3D High End Surround Sound system is one of the best we’ve experienced. Two efficient amplifiers power 21 speakers, and control over the music can be achieved via multiple settings in the touch-screen controller. There’s even an option to focus the sound to a particular seat.

4D CHASSIS CONTROL
By monitoring the driving situation in all three spatial dimensions, Porsche’s 4D Chassis Control System is able to synchronize the many electronic suspension and chassis systems to deliver the optimal blend of ride comfort and performance.

For the price, one would expect the 2017 Porsche Panamera 4S to come well equipped, and one would be correct. There’s a panoramic glass moonroof plus front and rear parking sensors, 19-inch wheels, 8-way-power adjustable and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Turbo model adds LED headlights, 20-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, 14-speaker Bose audio, full leather interior, power-adjustable steering column, Alcantara roof lining, 14-way-power front seats and heated rear seats. Performance equipment includes Porsche Stability Management System (PSM) and the integrated 4D Chassis Control unit.

The list of possible option combinations is nearly limitless. Among the more notable upgrades are a 21-speaker Burmester audio system, rear-seat center-console touch screen, adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlights, Sport Package (air suspension, Sport Chrono package, rear-axle steering and sport exhaust), ceramic composite brakes, a heated steering wheel, 18-way-adaptive sport seats, ventilated front and rear seats, infrared night-vision camera, Lane Change Assist, Lane Keep Assist, massaging seats and 4-zone automatic climate control with separate air-temperature, blower-intensity and air-distribution adjustments for each seat. Porsche will also customize the Panamera’s interior to any color you like.

For now, there are two Panamera models and two engine choices. The 2017 Panamera 4S is powered by a 440-horsepower twin-turbocharged direct-injection 2.9-liter V6, while the 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo receives a 550-horsepower twin-turbocharged direct-injection 4.0-liter V8 with cylinder deactivation. Both engines send power to all four wheels via a new PDK 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Porsche promises highway fuel-economy figures somewhere in the mid to upper 20s.

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (4S)
440 horsepower @ 5,650-6,600 rpm
405 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-5,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (Turbo)
550 horsepower @ 5,750-6,000 rpm
567 lb-ft of torque @ 1,960-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: N/A

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.