New Cars Reviews

Whats New For 2014

Major changes come back the porsche panameras method for 2014, clearly as the lineup expands out to embody a long-wheelbase government body style while a plug-in s e-hybrid variant. A fresh twin-turbocharged 3. 0-liter v6 for non-hybrid s trims replaces the previous naturally aspirated 4. 8-liter v8. There may be additionally a number of refined styling tweaks, as well as a fresh trunk lid. Finally, the turbo s model takes the year off, other then the bottom, gts and turbo models receive slight power bumps.

Introductions

If there has ever been a car that didnt would like an update, its the 2014 porsche panamera. The four-door wunderkind has wowed us for years with its inconceivable mix of top-shelf luxury and sports car dynamics, and theres still nothing for our cash that may bit it. Other then porsche is aware of how german engineers operate : if you do dont provide them one thing useful to carry out, theyll finish up building the worlds most intricate glovebox hinges maybe. Thus they will were tasked with producing the panamera meaningfully higher for 2014, and early signs counsel that theyve done simply that.

Possibly the foremost significant modification happens to be the new government body style, a nod out to the burgeoning marketplace for long-wheelbase luxury cars, significantly in china. With an extra 5. 9 inches connecting wheels, the panamera government makes porsches luxury liner a lot of competitive against its long-wheelbase german and japanese peers. Additionally of note happens to be the new panamera s e-hybrid, that will the outgoing s hybrid one higher by rendering plug-in functionality with regarding 20 miles of pure electrical driving vary. With sales of one's electrical tesla model s choosing up steam, the plug-in porsches timing is impeccable.

Wed like out to observe a while of silence, in spite of this, for our passing of one's sublime naturally aspirated v8 that formerly powered the panamera s and 4s models. Certain, the replacement twin-turbocharged 3. 0-liter v6 is each a lot of powerful and a lot of efficient, other then that high-revving v8 helped solidify the link connecting panamera and porsches sports car heritage. Happily, it lives on within the whole edgy gts model -- and that is up 10 horsepower out to 440 -- other then well miss its effortless, melodic thrust upon the alternative trims.

In any case, the 2014 porsche panamera is a awfully special car. In fact, each flagship luxury sedan during this worth vary is pretty special, thus youd do well out to sample the audi a8 and s8, bmw 7 series, jaguar xj and mercedes-benz s-class also. Other then whether or not or do not its updates were strictly necessary, the 2014 panamera is undoubtedly another winner for porsche, producing the companys strongest case nonetheless for executive-class supremacy.

Body Designs, Trim Levels, And Options

The 2014 porsche panamera may be a four-door, four-passenger sedan by having hatchback-style trunk. There may be no fewer than 9 trim levels : base, panamera 4, s, 4s, s e-hybrid, gts, turbo, and of course the extended-wheelbase 4s government and turbo government.

The bottom rear-wheel-drive panamera is powered by a v6 and includes 18-inch wheels, auto-leveling bi-xenon headlights, led headlight and taillight accents, front and rear parking sensors, a sunroof, a power rear liftgate, dual-zone automatic climate management, eight-way power front seats, a chilled glovebox, partial leather upholstery while a 60/40-split rear seatback. Additionally customary absolutely really undoubtedly are a 4. 8-inch driver data show, a navigation system by having center-mounted 7-inch show, bluetooth and an 11-speaker sound system by having usb/ipod interface. The panamera 4 differs no more than as it must all-wheel drive.

The panamera s and all-wheel-drive 4s embody all of one's features found within the whole non-hybrid base v6 models and add adaptive headlights, a twin-turbocharged v6 and adaptive suspension dampers.

The plug-in panamera s e-hybrid adds an adaptive air suspension ( additionally customary on gts, turbo and each government models ), hybrid-specific gauges, the porsche car connect interface with varied remote hybrid functions via smartphone app, and servotronic or power steering and speed-sensitive steering assist ( optional on alternative panameras ).

The gts boasts a naturally aspirated v8 beside several items shared in the turbo, as well as led air-intake and exterior-mirror lights, 19-inch wheels, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column while a simulated suede headliner. The gts is likewise the major panamera out to receive a sport exhaust system, a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, simulated suede/carbon-fiber cabin accents, and 18-way adaptive sport seats with memory functions as customary.

As its name suggests, the panamera turbo adds a turbocharged v8 beside keyless ignition/entry, 14-way power front seats with memory functions, expanded driver memory functions, heated front and rear seats, a full leather interior, while a 14-speaker bose surround-sound audio system with satellite and hd radio.

New for 2014, the 4s government and turbo government provide all of one's features of their total smaller equivalents and a 5. 9-inch longer wheelbase, a regular adaptive air suspension ( its optional upon the regular 4s ), thermally and noise-insulated glass, soft-close doors, heated and ventilated front and rear seats, a rear interior lighting package, eight-way power rear seats, power rear and rear aspect sunshades, and four-zone automatic climate management ( optional on alternative panameras ).

In typical porsche fashion, a lengthy and expensive list of choices provides buyers with nearly endless customization choices, as well as adaptive cruise management, lane-change assist, ceramic-composite brakes, porsche dynamic chassis management ( adaptive antiroll bars while a limited-slip rear differential ), a heated steering wheel, a rear-seat entertainment system, rearview and 360-degree surround-view cameras, voice management, a 16-speaker burmester surround-sound audio system while a refrigerated rear compartment that includes 2 drinking glasses engraved in the porsche crest and brand.

The game chrono package -- customary on gts, optional upon the rest -- adds analog and digital stopwatches beside a sport and driving mode with launch management. The game style package dresses along the panameras exterior by having special front fascia with wider intake grilles and aspect skirts. You'll be able to additionally customize practically each interior surface with leather, wood, metal, carbon fiber or paint.

Powertrains And Performance

The rear-wheel-drive base porsche panamera and all-wheel-drive panamera 4 are powered by a 3. 6-liter v6 that produces 310 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque. In edmunds testing, an earlier panamera v6 with 10 fewer hp accelerated from zero to actually 60 mph in 5. 8 seconds.

Like each non-hybrid panamera, these entry-level v6 models feature a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission generally known as pdk. Automatic stop-start functionality is normal to actually facilitate conserve fuel for all models also.

The rear-wheel-drive porsche panamera s and all-wheel-drive 4s get a whole new twin-turbocharged 3. 0-liter v6 for 2014. Rated at 420 hp and 384 lb-ft, this motor really should be sensible for 0-60 sprints within the whole mid-4-second vary, according to actually porsche, which is certainly comparable to actually the outgoing v8-powered 4s.

The rear-wheel-drive gts retains its 4. 8-liter v8 and gets a boost to actually 440 hp this year ; the torque rating of 384 lb-ft is unchanged. We ran the previous 430-hp gts to actually 60 mph in only 4. 1 seconds.

The all-wheel-drive panamera turbo gets a twin-turbocharged version of the very same v8 obtain a grand total of 520 hp ( 20 more often last year ) and 516 lb-ft of torque. The optional sport chrono package temporarily will increase maximum torque to actually 568 lb-ft. Acceleration is supercar-grade, with 60 mph attainable in well beneath 4 seconds. If youre attempting to find the turbo s, its on vacation this year. Watch obtain a comeback in 2015.

Finally, the rear-wheel-drive plug-in panamera s e-hybrid receives an audi-sourced supercharged 3. 0-liter v6 thats paired by having 95-hp electrical motor obtain a combined maximum output of 416 hp and 435 lb-ft, up from 380/428 in last years hybrid. Boasting a abundant larger lithium-ion battery pack this year, the s e-hybrid will travel an estimated 20 miles on pure electrical power at speeds up to actually 84 mph, while a full recharge often is accomplished in 2. 5 hours on 240-volt current. The ultimate accessible transmission may be a standard eight-speed automatic with manual shift management. Porsche estimates a 0-60 sprint of 5. 2 seconds, which is certainly roughly a half-second quicker in comparison to the recent hybrid.

Safety

Each 2014 porsche panamera comes normal with antilock brakes, stability management, front and rear aspect airbags, aspect curtain airbags and front knee airbags. Ceramic-composite brakes while a rearview camera ( with or while not surround-view functionality ) are accessible.

Interior Style And Special Features

Coming from the driver seat, theres no mistaking the panamera for something other then a porsche. The tachometer is centered within the whole brands trademark five-ring instrument cluster, flanked via the speedometer, a multifunction show and supporting gauges. The snug driver seat and high center console add to actually the sporting ambience. Notably, the most recent 911 and alternative porsche merchandise share this console style, other then the panamera came 1st. Fancy that : a 911 taking cues a four-door hatchback.

The panamera lacks a knob-based management system like bmws idrive, and currently being a result, there may be more often eighty buttons and knobs littering the cockpit. Fortunately, these buttons are logically grouped and placed, and when a brief time, operation becomes intuitive. A few may even notice the variety controls preferable to actually shuffling through multilevel on-screen menus, though the normal touchscreen show results in opportunities to actually do this, too.

All four seats are similar in appearance and comfort, with integrated headrests and glorious support for each aggressive cornering and long-distance touring. The normal panameras rear quarters give enough space for tall adults, and of course the seats often is fitted with choices to actually build them power-adjustable, heated and cooled. The stretched-wheelbase government models, meanwhile, offer rear passengers enough space to actually cross their legs.

The hatchback-style trunk limits rear visibility, other then it's role is enable normal panameras to actually hold up to actually 15. 7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 44. 6 cubes in the rear seatbacks folded flat. Government models offers slightly additional total cargo capability, other then the s e-hybrid drops to actually 11. 8 and 40. 7 cubes, respectively. Despite the model, the hatch opening is a little narrow, and of course the high cargo bed isnt terribly receptive to actually bulky items.

Driving Impression

The 2014 porsche panamera is arguably one as to the most partaking four-door cars weve ever driven, and thats particularly high praise provided that the panamera is really as wide currently being a mercedes s-class. Such a large amount of cars are same to actually shrink around you at speed within the years that the phrase turned out to be virtually meaningless, other then seriously, the panamera can be the dictionary definition of the phrase. Weve driven a panamera turbo through corners at speeds that ought to have frightened us, and instead we felt as secure as we might have because we are part of a 911 turbo.

Its the panameras dual temperament, though, that very sets it apart. This issue isnt only one in every of the worlds most capable performance cars -- its too one in every of the foremost refined and luxurious government sedans by the market. Depending by the driving mode you choose, the panameras character ranges from supple highway cruiser ( normal mode ) to actually track-day superstar ( sport and in models in the sport chrono package ), with varied choices in between. Even the s e-hybrid may be a hero, remaining swish and nearly silent in electric-mode operation other then very effective at sturdy acceleration whenever the mood strikes.