Panamera - First Look

PCA San Diego had a Tech Session today hosted by Hoehn Porshe in Carlsbad, which featured a gorgeous Marine Blue Panamera Turbo for everyone to check out, sit in, crawl through, around and under. After plenty of time to sit inside and check the layout (more buttons and switches than an Airbus) and all the room in the back seats, which would befit a limo, the sales manager gave a 40-minute presentation of the technical and engineering highlights of these incredible cars. After that the Turbo was taken out to the workshop and raised on a lift for us to marvel some more at the normally hidden features underneath. Some of the underbody panels were removed in order for these to be seen. Unfortunately, the presentation did not extend to any driving time in a Panamera, but it was definitely worth going there to see one "in the flesh." For those who care about such mundane matters in the presence of all this glorious Porscheness, the window sticker listed this example for $153K! Don't miss the opportunity to check one out at a dealer near you. Here is a link to photos I took today: http://picasaweb.google.com/ian.icmc...eat=directlink

Sounds like a stripped car. I wouldn't buy another without PCCBs.

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Actually, the Panamera had a list of options as long as your arm, from the hideously expensive Burmester audio system to heated steering wheel, as well as proactive cruise control and rear-view video. I, too, was surprised that it had been ordered without PCCB's, especially on a Turbo. An issue that I would have with a Panamera, if I were in the market for one, is that the myriad of buttons/switches each has their function printed on them. I don't know if the marketers are targeting a large percentage of 20-something potential buyers, but the rest who, like me, no longer enjoy 20-20 vision, will have their work cut out to memorize what everything does!

I drove all 3 versions yesterday at a Porsche driving event yesterday. Obviously the Turbo is a monster, pulls like crazy. Interesting that the most fun handling car was the rwd S, it will kick out the rear and feels noticeably lighter than the C4S, plus a lower price tag. Also drove the Cayenne GTS a few laps, that's also got amazing composure.....

I feel like I'm one of the only people who isn't the least bit into the Panamera... But of course, I haven't driven one. If it had an Audi badge or less yawn-inducing wheels then maybe it would captivate me...maybe.

The rear end reminds me of an early Abarth design watered down like cheap drink.

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Curious why you have this opinion. I have not yet driven a car with PCCBs so maybe that's the problem, but I have a hard time understanding why these things are worth the significant incremental cost over the standard brakes. It seems like they all make a fair amount of noise and stopping distances aren't noticeably improved. I'm sure they are pretty fade resistant, but honestly I haven't noticed fade issues with the modern P-cars I've driven that have the standard steel brakes. For example, I track my 996 with stock calipers/rotors (albeit with cup ducting and Super Blue fluid) and I have never experienced any fade. Probably just means I'm not driving hard enough!

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Another thing to consider is how often will this car realistically end up on the track? If the PCCB is just for reducing brake fade and you're not tracking the car, is it worth the added expense?