Four-door luxury limousine? Track car? Why not both?
- 5. The engine gets your heart racing
- 4. That bad-ass rear spoiler
- 3. Rear seat controls rock!
- 2. Elegant soft-close doors
- 1. Aggressive ‘SportDesign’ package
Here are five things to consider with the Porsche Panamera GTS model.
It’s been 10 years since the first Porsche Panamera was released, with mixed reception.
In 2009, people’s distaste to the Porsche Panamera came down to the design. One, the idea of a four-door full-sized Porsche sedan was one people didn’t grapple; and two, it didn’t look fast and sexy like the 911 – the peak of what Porsche ‘is’.
Fast forward to 2019, and the Porsche Panamera is no longer regarded or looked at with the same distaste. It’s sportier and more aggressive. It’s sleek and sexy.
This second-generation Porsche Panamera on the other hand has formed somewhat of a cult following, with the initial reaction a thing of the past.
When it comes to power, the Panamera GTS is positioned smack bang between the Porsche Panamera S, and Panamera Turbo. But don’t let this fool you, this car has been designed for the performance enthusiasts.
GTS as a brand serves to push the envelope just that bit further when it comes to sports performance, with a focus on performance driving dynamics – key if you want to hit the track. Here are five things I liked about the Porsche Panamera GTS.
5. The engine gets your heart racing
Powered by the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine making 338kW/620Nm, the Panamera GTS can achieve a top speed of 292km/h; and can hit 0-100km/h in 4.1sec (with the standard Sport Chrono package).
With the sports exhaust system activated, the exhaust opens to its full potential, ready to unleash the sound. You’ll want to have your windows down just so you can really get involved in the whole ‘sound on’ experience.
The Panamera GTS eats up the tarmac and makes a great addition to the garage, especially if a four-door track car/family car is more to your tastes.
4. That bad-ass rear spoiler
With an engine like this sometimes you need an aggressive spoiler to match. Without it up, the Porsche Panamera is a sleek and refined sports saloon. With it, it’s a beast waiting to be unleashed.
I left it up the whole time, I almost forgot to get photos of the car without it…)
The process of opening the spoiler and putting it away was quick and seamless. A matter of seconds is all it took. You can action the spoiler either manually, or let it happen automatically.
The spoiler itself was built in parts, so besides the obvious performance enhancing use of a spoiler, it is also a work of art. It is entertaining to watch as the split rear wing folds out to form one rather sexy looking rear spoiler.
Some of the other Porsche Panamera models offer a more simplified one-piece spoiler, but for the Panamera GTS, this model demands performance and a dash of aggression, which I think this spoiler helps to deliver.
Trust me, once you have it on display, you’re never going to want to put it away.
3. Rear seat controls rock!
With a focus on the comfort of the backseat passengers, the Panamera GTS isn’t all about the driver.
I tested out the backseat with some friends, and they enjoyed the ability to close the optioned sunblinds (rear compartment and rear side windows), open the panoramic roof and customise their individual climate settings.
This feature, realistically, is for those that are chauffeured, however, it can certainly suit family life.
It’s safe to say that the rear seat’s centre console is almost as high-tech as the one up the front.
2. Elegant soft-close doors
Is there nothing worse than someone slamming your car door or them not closing them at all?
I can feel the uncomfortable shudder from here.
Available as standard for the Panamera GTS, soft-close doors offer a silent comfort. With soft-close, if the door is placed close to the car, the car will pull it and lock it in to place. It’s able to do this thanks to a closing mechanism that is integrated into each door lock, enabling the automatic close action.
In the Porsche Panamera GTS, comfortably closing your car doors is a breeze, and proved to be my little party trick. One underrated feature you’ll grow to love if you’ve never had it before.
1. Aggressive ‘SportDesign’ package
As part of the extended range of standard equipment brought forward into the Panamera GTS, the driver and passenger get adaptive 18-way sports seats with memory function and enhanced side bolsters (which really hug you), with the rear enjoying bolstered seats.
Centre seat panels are in Alacantara, which is also seen throughout the interior such as on the A-, B- and C-pillars (some are optional).
‘GTS’ logos are sprinkled tastefully within the interior, for example on the head restraints, door entry sills and rev counter.
The SportDesign package extends to the exterior too with high-gloss black trim that feature on the side vents, exhausts outlets and more. Although this is not the full list of standard features on the Panamera GTS, you can see that these complement the sporty and aggressive personality of the GTS variant.
If you’re not content with the included SportDesign package highlights, there are additional options for you to really make the GTS model standout such as custom seatbelts, embroidered lettering on the head restraints, or even customising the rev counter dial to Carmine Red or Crayon.
Even with the standard equipment exclusions, you certainly won’t forget that you’re sitting in a Panamera GTS.
Although these are five things, I enjoyed about the Porsche Panamera GTS, when it comes to any Porsche, the options are practically endless. I reckon I could have listed 100 more!
Keyword: Five things we like about the Porsche Panamera GTS