For this year’s SIHH watch fair Porsche loaned us the newest edition of their Panamera 4S. One thousand kilometers of road between Stuttgart and Geneva and back combined with varying weather and road conditions gave us the ideal opportunity to properly put it to the test. What we discovered was the perfectly executed luxury sports-saloon car that combines everyday practicality and comfort with the power and prestige associated with the Porsche brand. In short, this is the car of choice when compromise is not an option.

First things first, the Panamera 4S unmistakably radiates the Porsche DNA. Its 2.9l V6 front engine translates into a solid 440HP and catapults the Panamera from 0-100 km/h in a respectable 4.4 seconds. Its dual-clutch 8-gear automatic PDK transmission is very reactive. Whilst the engine delivery was spot on, the all-wheel drive provided security even in icy conditions. On top of that the twin-turbocharged V6 put out a mean growl that turned heads on Genevan streets not unaccustomed to the sight of nice cars.


The tech in the car is a big step up from the previous generation. Little nifty features like the center console screen activating whenever you move your hand towards it show that Porsche takes functional tech seriously. Particularly handy for our long drive was the fact that the navigation map (Google Maps-based!) could be moved from the center console onto the dashboard at any time. Backseat passengers are particularly spoilt by the Panamera’s rear center console which allows them to regulate anything from seat-heating to multimedia. For the treasure-hunters among you: the steering wheel heating activation is located on the inside of the lower steering wheel strut. This was a very pleasant discovery as we chased our friend’s Aventador SVJ into the snowy Swiss mountains.

The interior of the Panamera is spacious and comfortable both in the front and back seats, easily providing enough room for four adults to travel. The trunk has a capacity of 500 liters and can fit two large and one small suitcase at the very least, making it particularly suitable for road trips like ours. In addition, between our highway and inner-city driving in Geneva, the Panamera only consumed 8.8l/100km on average. The sole inconvenience was the Panamera’s length of just over 5 meters which can make it challenging to maneuver in inner-city settings and car parks as we discovered at our hotel. The park-assistant however does a fantastic job at providing visual and acoustic cues with all-around visibility.

Overall the Panamera 4S proved to be the perfect road trip car. It allowed highly comfortable all-weather traveling inside an eye-catching and powerful sportster. With a starting price of 115.050€ the sports-saloon car is certainly pricy but what you get in return is a premium package on all fronts. The Panamera 4S perfectly combines versatility, power, comfort and exclusivity. It is far more than a 911 with extra room – it is a beautifully designed, family-friendly sports-car that never feels like you’re making any compromises.