Porsche Panamera 4.8 V8 GTS PDK Test date 21 January 2012 Source: Porsche Panamera GTS review - Autocar.co.uk
Panny GTS, what's the point of this car? It's too big and heavy to be a sportscar and in their attempt to make it one which they failed they have destroy its ability it be properly luxurious. Maybe if I drive it my opinion will change but at the moment that's how I feel.
The car is actually everything you are saying it isn't. It's an admirable compromise between a large luxury car and a sportscar.
I've struggled quite a bit with trying to find the best combination of luxury and handling in a 4-door car. I think this is it. Why do you think they destroyed it's ability to be 'properly luxurious'? If the ride in comfort mode is significantly deteriorated, I would agree - but that's not what the review says.
I do think it's the best looking of the Panameras primarily because of the blackened rocker panel which reduces the surface mass when viewed side-on lending the GTS a leaner, sportier look.
Having driven the GTS version of the Cayenne compared to the S I felt it spoiled the character of that car. So was basing my opinion on that experience but as everyone is different and expect different things there is no hard and fast rule to this. Like I said this opinion might change after driving one but IMO the Panny S already fulfills the sport/luxury perfectly already so can't imagine how pushing it to be more sporty won't compromise it's luxury side.
Porsche should have kept it RWD and a 6 MT optional (just like the old Cayenne GTS). If evo claims the Panny S is the best of all bunch because of the traction, the gearbox and the naturally aspirated 4.8-litre engine... the GTS would be a very good rival for the BMW M Performance and Audi S group. Or not*. The price tag is always a dealbreaker for the Panny. Lovely sport kit though. _____________________ * A good rival for the recent Quattroporte Sport GT S (440 PS, RWD, V8).
The review indicates that there has been no deterioration in the luxury department. Seems any deterioration in ride quality might only be experienced in the more sporting modes. Wouldn't be the first time that a more hardcore Porsche isn't appreciably worse than a more standard version; a few reviews on the 997.2 GT3 RS indicated the ride was better than the standard 997.2 GT3. More reviews, or an actual drive in the GTS itself, are in order before we can conclude it's been made worse.
Matt Rigby of Pistonheads gives it a go. I'd disagree with him on the value assessment. I don't think badge would be the only reason to pick this car over the others. For me personally, though, the looks are still hard to swallow (even though it's starting to actually look pretty decent in some of those photos).
2013 Porsche Panamera GTS [w/video] The roads winding from the southernmost coast of Spain up to Ascari Race Resort near the town of Ronda are enough to bring telling tales out of any car that professes to have high performance intentions. What talented few acquit themselves well on these roads are then exposed to the 3.4-mile Ascari circuit, and that's usually enough to send most of them home in a huff of brake dust and blow-by. This time in the crucible, it's the 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS, a car first shown under the hard lights of November's Los Angeles Auto Show. Despite not being the most powerful in the range, this naturally aspirated GTS is tipped to offer the most race-like dynamics of the entire Panamera portfolio. And after 100 or so miles on public amusement park roads and 20 or so on the track, this plus-size GT showed us it's capable of dicing it up like a 911 or Cayman while delivering an understandably different experience from behind the wheel. Horsepower for the GTS' naturally aspirated dry-sump 4.8-liter V8 stands at 424 at 6,700 revs, and its redline now rests at 7,100 revs – 400 rpm beyond the Panamera 4S. Torque plateaus at 383 pound-feet at 3,500 rpm, with the lion's share available between 3,000 and 5,500 rpm. Curb weight, as given by Porsche, is 4,232 pounds, or just under 10 pounds per horse to haul around. The GTS can scoot, too. Acceleration to 60 miles per hour is declared in 4.3 seconds, though our experience suggests real-world times will be quicker, and top speed is 178 mph..... 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS [w/video]
