In Pictures: Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel (road test)
The world’s fastest. That’s what you call an unqualified boast. The world’s fastest diesel is a little more qualified. The world’s fastest four-door diesel a little more still. The world’s fastest four-door diesel saloon… cripes, we must be at walking pace by now.
Not when the world’s fastest four-door diesel saloon is the new Panamera 4S we’re not. It’s the first car to receive Porsche’s newly developed 3956cc biturbo V8, which gives it 416bhp.
Something else the Panamera is first to get is the VW Group’s new MSB platform, and it’s clothed in a more purposeful looking body than before. The biggest change, though, is inside, where the Panamera can now accommodate a full set of six-footers – as well as a worthwhile load of luggage.
Up front, a spectacular 12.3” media screen dominates the facia and the dash includes a pair of 7” displays which you can configure to suit your own tastes. There’s a multi-function control pad, too, which operates everything from the seat heaters to the suspension settings.
It all looks very wow-worthy, though the media system is just a little slow at times and we found that operating the control pad meant looking away from the road.
Ah yes, the road. You can cover a lot of it in a little time.
With a new 8-speed PDK auto and rear-biased four-wheel drive set-up as standard, the new engine makes for a 4.3-second 0-62mph time and 177mph top speed.
Things you don’t have to accept include bad diesel noise (there’s a little growl at times, but when pushed the sound is overwhelmingly that of a V8), stress when cruising or any lack of acceleration. It pulls with gigantic power from standstill onwards and never wavers, aided by a gearbox that knows how to get everything right.
The steering could be better, though. You don’t get much from it in the way of messages, and there are times when the all-wheel drive system can throw a load of torque at the front when you’re halfway through a corner – with the result that the steering tries to wind the lock back off again. Not the most confidence inspiring of scenarios.
None of this stops the Panamera from being a masterful cross-country machine. Our test car was fitted with the optional three-chamber air suspension, and the combination of ride comfort and agility this delivers is extremely impressive. You choose a mode to suit your mood, but not even Sport Plus makes it harsh – and for something so capable of taking corners, it really is a tremendously soothing way to travel.
Not only that, but with a range of more than 700 miles this is a car you can drive and drive and drive. Whether you want to cross a continent and arrive a picture of calm, or buzzing with excitement, is up to you. Either way, the Panamera 4S has it covered.
KEY STATS - 2016 Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel
Price £91,788
Engine V8, 2996cc, twin-turbocharged diesel
Power 416bhp at 3500-5000rpm
Gearbox eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Kerb weight 2050kg
Top speed 177mph
0-62mph 4.3sec
Economy 42.2mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band 176g/km 35%
In Pictures: 2016 Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel
In Pictures: 2016 Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel
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1/5
It’s the first car to receive Porsche’s newly developed 3956cc biturbo V8, which gives it 416bhp.
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2/5
Up front, a spectacular 12.3” media screen dominates the facia and the dash includes a pair of 7” displays which you can configure to suit your own tastes.
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3/5
The new engine makes for a 4.3-second 0-62mph time and 177mph top speed.
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4/5
You choose a mode to suit your mood, but not even Sport Plus makes it harsh – and for something so capable of taking corners, it really is a tremendously soothing way to travel.
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5/5
With a range of more than 700 miles this is a car you can drive and drive and drive.
Porsche’s new super-saloon is everything its predecessor should have been but wasn’t.