2018 Panamera Sport Turismo Turbo S E-Hybrid
Written By:
Mike G
Ok you read the title I am not going to rewrite the name of the car again this article because it is an incredibly long name. Despite that could possibly be the only flaw with this particular vehicle. That and potential its very heavy duty price tag. The one we tested was $225k brand new with all the specs. However, long story someone traded in on another exact model and the trade in car had 500 miles on it. They didn’t like the color so they wanted to get a different one. So at the time this was in the used inventory with only 500 miles on it was for sale for $165k. I know this is going to sound pretentious but compared to brand new this was a steal of a life time. This car was still new and you are getting a 60k discount on it. Strange story like I said, the dealerships grandson who we work with was able to tell it very well. I don’t do the story any justice. Apparently the car was ordered at a California dealership from the buyer who took delivery of it at the dealership we have a partnership. The person took the car for two weeks and brought it back and said the “color is too flashy for me”. He was the one who spec’d the car to begin with, really? Well the dealership here in Tampa accommodated him and took the trade on the car and gave him the exact same car in chalk, the car he traded in was sapphire blue metallic. I don’t think that is to flashy but, what do I know I just a podcaster/youtuber/writer. Just kidding, I am not the know all but in all seriousness that is not a flashy color.
The good stuff, this car is a rocket ship! A monster and force to be reckoned with all the cliché terms I can think of. It is all of those and then some. See what I did there? Anyways, by the numbers this beast weighs in over 5,000 lbs this then is not on the whole food plant based diet trust me. However, despite it being beefy it packs a humongous punch to go with it to the tune of 680hp and 626 lb-ft. Zero to 60 times at 3.2 and the quarter mile at 11.6, did you hear what I said a 5,000 pound car runs the quarter in 11.6 and 0 to 60 in 3.2 with a factory tune!!!! Can imagine if you put an aftermarket exhaust a very safe tune on this? You would be sub 3 seconds to 60 and running in the 10’s in the quarter mile, this is total legend stuff. We are very fortunate to have been able to spend a day with this vehicle, it really is amazing how they were able to combine such a luxury feel and blend it with motorsport and put five seats and a ton of cargo room in it. This is totally, the Swiss army knife of vehicles at the moment. It can get 48mpg, it can be faster than most of the 911’s, and it can carry a ton of people and cargo. I mean this is the unicorn and Porsche let it out into the wild for us to enjoy.
The driving was intense and so unreal. I have never felt so many different emotions in one vehicle. We started in EV mode, totally silent creeping through the day like a stealth fighter. Then cracked on the sport plus and woke up the monster V8 twin turbo and it makes a dragon snarl when it comes to life. What a machine this is, steering is heavy like a sports car which I love. Suspension has many different personalities depending on what mode you drive in but, even in the harshest modes it wasn’t harsh at all. When they say a picture is worth a thousand words you need to go to youtube and watch Aaron and I’s reaction to the launch of this thing. We couldn’t be any more different in our reactions. Would I own one? Heck yes! I would more than one if I could afford it. I can’t even afford one but, if I could there would be one at my house for sure. This is a special machine; we don’t see these very often in a lifetime. With the sleek shooting brake appearance to the monster power numbers, and the beautiful interior and space to go with it. Guess what son? She is the total package you should marry her before someone else does!