The Panamera GTS: Porsche's Enthusiast Sedan?

When Porsche revealed their latest addition to the Panamera lineup last month, they claimed it was the "Purest Panamera Yet". The GTS slots in between the S/4S and the Turbo. Porsche has taken much of the performance equipment from the Turbo, both visually and functionally, and added it to a reworked  version of the V8 engine found in the S models. This Panamera has the potential to be the ultimate four seater Porsche.


While some may say the Turbo S is the ultimate Panamera, others will disagree. First off, the price is ridiculous! One can almost buy 2 Panamera S's for the same price as one Turbo S. Secondly, it weighs a staggering 400 lbs more then a base Panamera. While it's turbocharged engine is significantly more powerful, it does not have the smoothness and linearity of the naturally aspirated 8 cylinder. Most important though is that the Turbo S is saddled with all wheel drive, making it less nimble then rear wheel drive.


Lately, Porsche "GTS" models have been some of the best in the lineup. Look at the 997 Carrera GTS and the 957 Cayenne GTS. Like the Panamera GTS, each have taken elements from their more costly Turbo siblings while catering more towards enthusiast drivers. So does the new Panamera GTS do exactly what a GTS model Porsche should? Sort of...


By adding many performance options , this car is significantly more aggressive. The new "sound symposer" and standard sports exhaust should give this car a more visceral experience (for a luxury sedan). The standard sport chrono also adds another element of sportiness and fun. Also, Porsche nailed the new exterior aerodynamics package and interior trim pieces. Aggressive, but not tacky. However, what truly makes it a GTS is what lies under the hood. The reworked 4.8 builds off of what is already an excellent engine. Smooth, linear, torquey, and responsive is how one would characterize the engine in the S/4S.  In this application, all of that should apply, while being elevated another notch. Porsche extracted the extra power the "proper way" by not using forced induction, thereby maintaining the distinctive feeling of a naturally aspirated engine. The brakes taken from the turbo will better manage this extra power, even though standard Porsche brakes are already excellent. Finally, the suspension has been stiffened up and lowered to further improve the handling of the base Panamera. 


Despite all of these characteristics sounding like it could be the true enthusiast sedan, Porsche missed two key aspects. First a purist car must be rear wheel drive. This car would be even more raw if the power was only sent to the back wheels. Second, a purist car must offer  manual transmission. Porsche offers a manual for the Panamera S in Europe. Coupled with, rear wheel drive, the manual transmission would be an easy engineering transfer. However, Porsche only offers the popular PDK. While good, it does not offer the connection and control that an enthusiast expects. 


Therefore, the answer to the question is NO. The true enthusiast sedan is a European Spec Panamera S manual with all of the performance options. It is unfortunate that the GTS had the potential to be so pure as Porsche says, but unfortunately it just is not.