Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Porsche Panamera (972) v Taycan Minor Change

The only premium saloon in the Porsche stable, the Panamera, is now in its third generation and it's officially the best Panamera ever made by a narrow margin.

2025 Porsche Panamera
2025 Porsche Panamera

Starting at an ultra-expensive 110,900 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new third-generation Panamera is the Third Coming of Porsche's only luxury premium sedan that combines the first-class comfort and track-honed performance you would expect for a Porsche.

2025 Porsche Panamera
2025 Porsche Panamera

The design of the Panamera 972 is very similar to earlier models, but Porsche says that this new version was inspired by the electric Taycan. The all-electric Taycan is Porsche's only luxury premium sedan, and its influence can be seen in the design of the Panamera. I think this is an exciting development that shows that Porsche is moving forward with exciting, new models that will be part of their exciting future.

Now the range-topping Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, the most powerful Porsche Turbo, is the first to don the monochrome Porsche badge because it looks so cool. I think it's a great idea to put the badge on the most powerful version of the Porsche.

2025 Porsche Panamera
2025 Porsche Panamera interior

2025 Porsche Panamera interior
2025 Porsche Panamera interior

In contrast to its familiar looks, the interior is all-new for the 972. On the driver's side, it features a dual touch-screen display with the other one on the passenger side, which is of course an optional extra and it's only visible to whoever sits in the front passenger seat, not from the driver's seat to avoid distracted driving. Boo. On the plus side, the analog clock from the previous model is still here. On the top as usual. On the passenger side, it still has that out-on-the-limo feeling, and things get even more interesting if you go for the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive with longer wheelbase and executive rear seats. Going first-class doesn't need to be a dull moment especially when you're in the all-new Porsche Panamera.

The new Porsche Panamera has a good amount of boot space, as long as you don't need the rear seats. With the seats folded down, you can fit up to 1264 liters of stuff in the back, which is pretty good for a premium sedan. So if you’re a Porsche purist and you need a lot of cargo space, you’ll likely be happy with the new Panamera.

2025 Porsche Panamera
2025 Porsche Panamera

Base Panamera variants are powered by a 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine with 353PS of power and mated to an 8-speed AT but the E-Hybrid variants are armed with the same engine but bolted to an E-Motor to produce a total output of up to 544PS of power for the 4S E-Hybrid variant. Mated to the said gearbox, it does 0-100kph in 3.7 seconds and flat-out at 290kph.

The range-topper Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is armed with the new 4.0L V8 turbo engine bolted to an E-Motor that produces a total output of 680PS of power and 930Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 315kph. That's nearly supercar performance in a car that weighs over two tons.

Dynamics have been slightly improved thanks to its standard Porsche Active Suspension Management, available all-wheel steering, available Porsche Active Ride active suspension, and new active shock absorbers, among others. With such improvements, the dynamics made the all-new model the best premium sedan to drive by a narrow margin. You might as well ditch your Mercedes-AMG S63 for this one. It feels downright addictive to drive.

As for safety, the all-new Panamera features a revised active speed assistant as well as the updated Porsche InnoDrive now with swerve assistant and the new Remote ParkAssist function.

The all-new Porsche Panamera is no doubt the best Panamera ever made by a narrow margin but is it really the best Porsche sedan you want to drive and leave others driven to tears?

2025 Porsche Taycan
2025 Porsche Taycan

2025 Porsche Taycan
2025 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

2025 Porsche Taycan
2025 Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo

To give us the answer, let's introduce to you to the Porsche Taycan's 2025MY Minor Change. Priced at 101,500 Euros, which is slightly more expensive than the all-new Panamera, the Taycan is still offered with three body styles such as the saloon version, the Sport Turismo with up to 1212 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded down, and the slightly rugged Taycan Cross Turismo.

2025 Porsche Taycan
2025 Porsche Taycan interior

The Taycan minor change features a slightly refreshed design as well as a revised interior with more touchscreens, a refreshed digital instrumental cluster, standard brushed aluminum side sill scuff plates, new leather-free upholstery options (both with Pepita houndstooth fabric), revised two-tone color scheme choices and new Aluminium Prisma decor. Everything around the Taycan is still first-class comfort.

2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT

Of course, you can have the all-electric Taycan from 408PS to 952PS for the Turbo S but ignore all of that because there's now the ultimate Taycan you want to have; the Taycan Turbo GT.

Priced at 240,000 Euros plus additional costs, the Taycan Turbo GT juiced its AWD dual-motor powertrain with 105kWh Lithium battery to produce a monstrous 1034PS of power and 1340Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 2.3 seconds and flat-out at 290kph, slower than the all-new Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid. As for driving range, the Taycan Turbo GT is good for 555km in one full charge and it will take half a day to charge it while at home or 18 minutes while at a public 320kW charging station if there is one.

Armed with the available Weissach Package that deletes the rear seats and other forms of comfort to drop 70kg on a car that weighs over two tons, the Taycan Turbo GT is capable of crushing the Nurburgring Nordschleife production EV lap record in 7 minutes and 7.55 seconds, faster than the controversial Tesla Model S Plaid. This is no doubt the fastest saloon to lap the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife and such plaudits must not be ignored.

So, the all-new third-generation Panamera and the Taycan minor change. Both Porsche saloons are built for the new normal with the first-class comfort and race-honed performance you would expect for a Porsche but in the end, it's the facelifted Taycan, in Turbo GT form, takes the upper hand. Either way, these two are too hot to be ignored. WE JUST WANT ONE OF THESE.

Photo: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

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