2019 Porsche Panamera GTS Sport TurismoJil McIntosh OVERVIEW Porsche adds another model for four-door fun PROSGood looks, excellent driver, comfortable interior CONSNo sporty steering feel, too-fiddly controls, everything’s an option VALUE FOR MONEYIf you’ve got it, it’s a great place to spend it WHAT TO CHANGE?Bring back the function buttons HOW TO SPEC IT?Get the chassis control; beyond that, the sky’s the limit In late June, I went to the racetrack to watch the Queens Plate, and arrived in a 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo. Clad in fancy clothes and a wide-brimmed, fancy hat because I am nothing but traditional for the big horse races I chose valet, rather than trudge across an acre of dirt-and-gravel parking lot.Most of the crowd left all at once, and it was a madhouse to get ones car back. When my bright Mamba Green car slowly made its way in, several young men crowded around it. When I announced ownership because after all that, I sure as hell wasnt going to admit it was merely borrowed I got three requests for a ride, and one marriage proposal. And why not? This things a head-turner indeed, even if the eye-searing exterior shade didnt always reach a consensus with onlookers. Its four-door configuration was also contentious with some, who felt that any Porsche beyond a Cayenne or Macan should not have more than two points of entry, but I disagree. The Panamera is a great way to get you and three of your friends to your destination, but it also has the chops to satisfy as a sports machine when its just you and the curves in the road.The GTS is the latest addition to the Panamera lineup, which morphed into its second generation for 2017. Its available as the Panamera as weve come to know it, or the more wagon-like Panamera Sport Turismo, as I drove it. At a starting price of $153,300, my tester slots between the 4S Sport Turismo ($125,600) and Turbo Sport Turismo ($177,300). But this being Porsche, where it seems everything except the windshield is an option, my car was outfitted to $182,840 before freight and taxes. That included such items as $5,710 for dynamic chassis control, $2,300 for eight-way power rear seats, $6,120 for an Assistance Package that added such features as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, $1,970 for a customizable head-up display a first-time option for Panamera and $400 to paint the door handles black.All that is icing on a car that masterfully blends sports performance with the smooth, coddling personality of a luxury machine. Power comes from a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that spins out 453 horsepower and 457 lb.-ft. of torque. Its mated to an eight-speed PDK Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, the companys name for its dual-clutch automatic thats beautifully quick and smooth, but unfortunately operated with an awful push-pull-and-a-button-for-Park electronic shifter that too many automakers seem to prefer for how techy it looks, rather than using a more intuitive setup.The all-wheel system automatically shifts as much as 70 per cent of torque to the front wheels as needed, and drive modes can be selected via a handy steering wheel-mounted dial. An air suspension is standard equipment, while my car was optioned with rear steering and that dynamic chassis control gadget, counteracting body roll and keeping the car level on uneven surfaces.The handling is whip-sharp, and the Panamera tucks around corners like its glued to the pavement, but what really impresses is how it blends that ability with rock-solid comfort. Even in Sport-Plus, the suspension is firm but never a kidney-knocker. Its a relatively heavy vehicle, but it simply goes out and carves the corners without breaking a sweat, every hair in place and with nary a wrinkle in its tuxedo. For some enthusiasts it may be too smooth, since the steering feel is rather muted, but I find its in keeping with its more practical, luxury-four-seater demeanour. The Panamera is a lovely vehicle inside as well, with the quality of materials and fit-and-finish youd expect for the price. Its also a big car, with lots of room for front- and rear-seat occupants. That said, Im less than impressed with Porsches decision to drop the last-generation Panameras rows of buttons in favour of a glass touchscreen surrounding the shifter.You must look down to be sure youre hitting the right spot, for everything from your heated-and-cooled seats to the rear window defroster, and if the suns shining on the glass, its not easy to see the icons. Simple is good in any car, but I think its especially important in something thats primarily about going fast and snarly.Infotainment functions are accessed through a large central touchscreen; most are simple, but there are times when you have to go too deep to find items. Adjusting the direction of the centre vent, for example, requires you to pull up a computer screen. The instrument cluster is also configurable, and one
Origin: Car Review: 2019 Porsche Panamera GTS Sport Turismo