It might seem unusual to find a review of the Porsche Panamera Turbo on a site dedicated to car diagnostics, especially considering its departure from traditional Porsche sports cars. This five-meter-long sedan challenges the purist notion of a Porsche, being a front-engined, water-cooled, four-door vehicle with an automatic transmission and a weight comparable to multiple classic Porsche race cars stacked together. While it may aesthetically hint at the 996 generation 911, the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo aligns more closely with a luxury sedan like the BMW 7 Series in its concept and execution. Yet, despite these deviations, the Panamera Turbo delivers a unique Porsche experience, blending high performance with luxury and practicality.
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This week, we had the opportunity to experience the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo firsthand at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. Our time included both track sessions and street driving, offering a comprehensive perspective on its capabilities. On the track, the Panamera Turbo proved surprisingly adept. The seven-speed PDK transmission executed gear changes with rapid precision, the direct-injection engine demonstrated robust power delivery, and the braking system held up remarkably well through several high-speed laps before exhibiting expected signs of heat buildup. True to Porsche engineering, the Panamera is inherently stable, thanks to its balanced weight distribution and an array of sophisticated electronic aids. Even pushing hard and venturing onto the rumble strips at Road America’s corners under full throttle, the all-wheel-drive system, working in concert with the advanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM), ensured immediate vehicle stabilization.
Despite limited track time, it’s evident how the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo achieved a sub-eight-minute lap time at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It possesses a genuine point-and-shoot character. Porsche’s engineers prioritized replicating the 911’s driver ergonomics, incorporating low-slung front seats and matching the hip point of their sports cars. However, the Panamera Turbo offers a level of composure and ease of pace that surpasses any 911. Extracting immense speed requires minimal effort, positioning the Panamera Turbo closer in spirit to the Nissan GT-R than to traditionally raw, race-bred Porsches.
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Moving from the track to public roads, the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo reveals its luxurious side, particularly its exceptional interior and extensive feature set. Porsche clearly addressed criticisms of the Cayenne’s interior with the Panamera, which meets or surpasses the standards of its German luxury sedan competitors. In terms of interior refinement and material quality, only the Bentley Flying Spur surpasses it, and a comparably equipped Spur would likely exceed the Panamera’s price by a significant margin. The interior boasts two-tone leather, extensive contrast stitching, and a notable absence of cheap-feeling plastic components. The steeply sloping center console design echoes the style of high-end Vertu cellphones, popular among affluent clientele. Rear passengers are treated to individual seats that are spacious and offer available console-mounted controls for temperature, seat adjustments, and audio settings. This meticulously crafted interior provides a tangible justification for the Panamera Turbo’s premium price tag.
However, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system in this generation lags behind Audi’s MMI and BMW’s iDrive in terms of features and display quality. If there’s a notable drawback within the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo, it’s the somewhat underwhelming electronics. Competitors in this class generally offer superior infotainment systems. A buyer who might choose an Audi Q7 over a Porsche Cayenne for its convenience features could similarly find the less sporty Audi A8 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class more appealing than the Panamera due to their more advanced technology. Even Mercedes-Benz, despite past shortcomings in their COMAND systems, now provides a more user-friendly navigation and audio experience. The Panamera’s PCM is marred by minor annoyances, such as a frustrating “tuning delay” in the satellite radio and a convoluted process for destination input in the navigation system. For owners accustomed to the latest in-car technology, this aspect of the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo might require some patience.
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Porsche’s continued reluctance to adopt wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual gear selection is again evident in the Panamera Turbo. Drivers are presented with unconventional sliding selectors on the steering wheel, which, while visually similar to other Porsche Tiptronic controls, operate distinctly. These selectors require a forward or backward push using the thumb or index finger. In demanding driving scenarios, particularly on the track, their operation demands a level of dexterity and specific hand positioning that can feel cumbersome, even bordering on impractical. While paddle shifters were anticipated to become more widespread within the Porsche lineup, their absence in the 2010 Panamera Turbo is a notable ergonomic quirk.
The Porsche Boxster has long been recognized for its superiority over comparable models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. These German rivals have struggled to replicate the focused engineering and clear purpose found in Porsche’s mid-engined roadster. Compromises inherent in sedan designs and a degree of uncertainty in models like the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK prevent them from fully matching the Boxster’s purity. The 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo presents a parallel situation in the luxury sedan segment. In its attempt to infuse a luxury sedan with the spirit of a 911, Porsche may have slightly missed some conventional luxury sedan benchmarks. While features like Audi’s MMI, a traditional torque-converter automatic transmission, and a more practical trunk might enhance its appeal as a pure luxury sedan, they could arguably dilute the “Porsche DNA” that is so central to its identity.
Ultimately, the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo likely appeals most strongly to dedicated Porsche enthusiasts who require a family-friendly vehicle without sacrificing performance. A buyer solely seeking the absolute best-in-class luxury sedan might be better served by a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Similarly, someone with the budget for a Panamera Turbo who desires an exceptional Porsche and family transportation might find greater satisfaction in owning both a 911 GT3 and utilizing alternative transport for passengers. However, for those seeking a unique blend of Porsche performance and luxury sedan practicality, the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo offers a compelling, albeit slightly unconventional, choice. For owners looking to maintain the peak performance of their 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo, ensuring regular diagnostic checks and expert servicing is crucial.
