Sweet spot: sporty dynamics with executive comfort

THE Porsche Panamera continues to occupy an interesting niche in the Stuttgart-based sports car maker’s lineup.

- JASON WOOSEY [e-mail]

THE Panamera GTS offers burbly V8 power to those who can't stretch to a Turbo.

(Supplied)

Although not a popular option, it fulfils a need for those seeking a more practical Porsche, which is not an SUV.

The Panamera sits low to the ground, even compared to most sedans, fostering a sense of oneness with the road, which many drivers simply don’t get to experience these days. That said, if you don’t like the idea of most other vehicles towering above you, then the Panamera is not for you.

The third-generation Panamera, introduced in 2024, is a handsome beast too, at least in our humble opinion. It’s certainly come a long way since that awkwardly proportioned first-generation version.

We recently spent a week with the newly launched Panamera GTS model, which many might argue represents the sweet spot in the range.

Priced from R3181000, it costs R928 000 more than the base Panam-era, but brings burbly V8 power to the equation while also being over a million rand cheaper than the Panamera Turbo e-hybrid and a cool R1.6m less expensive than the Turbo S.

Its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 produces 368kW and 660Nm, which is enough to launch it from 0-100km/h in 3.8seconds, according to factory claims. Power goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed PDK automated dual-clutch gearbox.