I Drove The 4S Today
10-19-2009, 12:56 PM
#16
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10-19-2009, 01:18 PM
#17
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I had the opportunity to drive the S, 4S & Turbo both on a handling course and on open roads. The chassis of the S & 4S impressed me but the N/A V8 lacks torque, especially on the longer upper ratios of the PDK gearbox. I therefore had high expectations for the Turbo and it was a complete disappointment: marginally more meat on a straight line, but way too nose heavy in twisty stuff. Stunning to see how 240lbs in the nose can ruin the balance compared to a 4S.
10-19-2009, 04:24 PM
#19
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Where did you find the info ? The 60+ pages press pack does not say a word about weight balance, they just give the DIN claims for each model and boast the pride of being under two tons.
10-19-2009, 04:59 PM
#20
Registered User
I saw the car for the first time today. And i have to say it is Beautiful. It is a true Porsche in every sense and they came through yet again. Anyone got 159,000 dollars i can "borrow" i want that turbo!!
10-19-2009, 05:53 PM
#21
This is a grown ups car....not for people toting kids around. The buyer is looking for a car he/she can take a couple out and other than that he/she is looking for a 911 type drive but have luxury as well.
10-19-2009, 07:29 PM
#22
I would compare it to the M5, not the M3. I personally compared it to my former M6, which was much heavier and more sluggish and less performance in IMO.
10-19-2009, 08:11 PM
#23
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Actually the Panamera S is HEAVIER than the M6, and is short 100 hp as well.
Panamera S - 3968 lbs. 400hp
BMW M6- 3909 lbs. 500hp
BMW M3- 3726 lbs. 414hp
I'll wager a beer that it's the other way around.
10-20-2009, 05:48 AM
#24
Ok so you're inclined to say the Panamera S has better performance figures than all 3 models - the M3, M5, and M6.
Actually the Panamera S is HEAVIER than the M6, and is short 100 hp as well.
Panamera S - 3968 lbs. 400hp
BMW M6- 3909 lbs. 500hp
BMW M3- 3726 lbs. 414hp
I'll wager a beer that it's the other way around.
Actually the Panamera S is HEAVIER than the M6, and is short 100 hp as well.
Panamera S - 3968 lbs. 400hp
BMW M6- 3909 lbs. 500hp
BMW M3- 3726 lbs. 414hp
I'll wager a beer that it's the other way around.
10-20-2009, 07:15 AM
#25
I know the m6 had more power, but the Panamera handled better to me. It was definately more nimble and felt much more planted than the M6. Of course, the real test would be in spatanburg on the course at BMW and do a side by side. what kind of beer do you like???
10-22-2009, 01:19 AM
#26
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... PanameraS is a little slower, than M5, M3.
Panamera4S is a "sleeper", it will leave current M5, M3 in the dust on any road geometry, especially after 100 mi/h, but not in a radical manner as PanameraTT will...
...the major Panamera advantage beyond engine is it's wide chassis and it's low center of gravity...
...wider and much lower car, than M5, M3...
...as much, as I hate it's looks, especially from the rear, I love it's driving dynamics as a sports sedan...
...one needs to take a test drive of a Pan4S to start feeling this, not PanS...
OZRacing
Panamera4S is a "sleeper", it will leave current M5, M3 in the dust on any road geometry, especially after 100 mi/h, but not in a radical manner as PanameraTT will...
...the major Panamera advantage beyond engine is it's wide chassis and it's low center of gravity...
...wider and much lower car, than M5, M3...
...as much, as I hate it's looks, especially from the rear, I love it's driving dynamics as a sports sedan...
...one needs to take a test drive of a Pan4S to start feeling this, not PanS...
OZRacing
Last edited by ozr; 10-22-2009 at 01:34 AM.
11-01-2009, 01:42 AM
#28
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^
Turbo is my choice, after playing at Candlestick Park today. Initially, I thought I would go for the 4S.
My wife still likes the driving position of the Cayenne Turbo, and since it is going to be her car I have to wait until she changes her mind..or until the new Cayenne arrives.
But anyone with an ounce of driving ability will recognize in a heartbeat that the Panamera is an absolutely fantastic driving machine.
Congrats!
Turbo is my choice, after playing at Candlestick Park today. Initially, I thought I would go for the 4S.
My wife still likes the driving position of the Cayenne Turbo, and since it is going to be her car I have to wait until she changes her mind..or until the new Cayenne arrives.
But anyone with an ounce of driving ability will recognize in a heartbeat that the Panamera is an absolutely fantastic driving machine.
Congrats!
11-03-2009, 07:35 PM
#29
The Penguin King
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I drove a 4s yesterday too:
When the Cayenne came out in 2003, I was ready to burn Porsche at the stake. What an ugly POS - my initial impression. I was unforgiving and relentless in branding the leadership in Stuttgart as crazy and suicidal. Fast forward 5 years and I have an 08 CTT in the driveway which I love, but I have been highly skeptical of the Panamera. Once again, Porsche has out-uglied the Cayenne IMHO. In this economy and with other beautiful options - Maserati, Aston, Fisker hybrib - they seemed to be on another suicide trip.
Well, that all changed yesterday. I went by a local dealer and checked out a Pan Turbo and a 4s. The car is so large that you cannot see all the ugliness in one view. Standing next to one you can only appreciate the smooth arcing lines of the body which appear quite muscular. The frown on my face evaporates once I got in the car. The interior is fantastic - it makes the full leather interior of my CTT look like a Chrysler rental. The effect is nicer than any Audi A8, and comparable to the Maserati with a more German tone.
The frown changes to a wide-eyed smile as I drive this "abomination" - really feels like a 4 seat sports car! The 4s I drove was Grey with a light interior and Sport Chrono. The PDK is perfect for the car, and it pulls as hard as the CTT but without any lag. The exhaust note replicates my old high school friend's family 6.9l Mercedes beast - so deep, so subtle and perfect! I don't care how ugly it is anymore, I gotta have one in the garage! The CTT lease comes up in 18 months - I know exactly what will replace it.
When the Cayenne came out in 2003, I was ready to burn Porsche at the stake. What an ugly POS - my initial impression. I was unforgiving and relentless in branding the leadership in Stuttgart as crazy and suicidal. Fast forward 5 years and I have an 08 CTT in the driveway which I love, but I have been highly skeptical of the Panamera. Once again, Porsche has out-uglied the Cayenne IMHO. In this economy and with other beautiful options - Maserati, Aston, Fisker hybrib - they seemed to be on another suicide trip.
Well, that all changed yesterday. I went by a local dealer and checked out a Pan Turbo and a 4s. The car is so large that you cannot see all the ugliness in one view. Standing next to one you can only appreciate the smooth arcing lines of the body which appear quite muscular. The frown on my face evaporates once I got in the car. The interior is fantastic - it makes the full leather interior of my CTT look like a Chrysler rental. The effect is nicer than any Audi A8, and comparable to the Maserati with a more German tone.
The frown changes to a wide-eyed smile as I drive this "abomination" - really feels like a 4 seat sports car! The 4s I drove was Grey with a light interior and Sport Chrono. The PDK is perfect for the car, and it pulls as hard as the CTT but without any lag. The exhaust note replicates my old high school friend's family 6.9l Mercedes beast - so deep, so subtle and perfect! I don't care how ugly it is anymore, I gotta have one in the garage! The CTT lease comes up in 18 months - I know exactly what will replace it.
11-14-2009, 09:28 PM
#30
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what i could not believe was that you had to shift to 3RD GEAR by about 45 mph - my GTS will do something like 65 in 2nd. - same engine
basically i found 1st and 2nd to be useless on 4 lane city streets in Ottawa - you were in 3rd gear and too low in the RPM range for fun so it was just frustrating
i was going to go this weekend to try the turbo but couldn't get time
basically i found 1st and 2nd to be useless on 4 lane city streets in Ottawa - you were in 3rd gear and too low in the RPM range for fun so it was just frustrating
i was going to go this weekend to try the turbo but couldn't get time