Porsche Panamera GTS: An ideal car for the young driver in Gulf

The Porsche Panamera GTS is a track-ready car and one of the most powerful five-door tourers in the market. It retains its 4.8 liter V8 engine for sheer torque and power. In every respect this is an ideal car for the young driver in the Gulf region. To have the option of Sport and Sport Plus driving with the accompanying symphony from the four exhaust pipes is exhilaration unmatched by any other car.

Once the key is turned in the GTS, the engine revs up loudly before settling on its normal idle speed. This tough sedan thinks it’s a sports car and the road is race track!
The enormous 440 bhp of engine power is channeled through a 7-speed PDK dual clutch automatic gearbox pushing the four wheels. The suspension is lowered by 10mm and is quite tough in city streets despite the fact that it features air springs as standard.
The Panamera GTS is unmatched on fast roads for speed and stability. It feels solid and heavy to steer but feels more comfortable cruising at 100 kph that doing 55kph in city streets. The Panamera GTS is best enjoyed on fast-moving motorways. Going to the south coast and back in half a day was much faster in the GTS.
For sheer pleasure of hi-revving engine torque, Sports Plus driving is a bonus in this car — if the driver enjoys the tough suspension. It comes ready to drive on the track without any adjustment — and it has a stop-watch for lap timing as well.
Testing the car after a Range Rover Sport is like descending from a luxury SUV into a Forumla-1 car. The cockpit resembles that of a private jet; the seats are perfect for fast driving; and the engine soundtrack is amazing. The ride is tougher and a little jittery even in Comfort mode. Porsche did not make any allowance for passenger comfort over performance. So, the Panamera is like driving a 911 for four.
It comes well-equipped with a touchscreen control unit for navigation and entertainment.
There are over 20 buttons for various controls under the main screen and along the central consul. The driver looks at three dials with the main central dial showing the engine revs. The right-hand dial rotates between digital maps and basic functions. Speed can be shifted manually on the steering wheel or via the main handle. The speed of the car is displayed on the left-hand dial in addition to a digital display under the main dial. The car did not come with head-up display. Also, rear-view cameras do not come as standard in the GTS.
Visibility is good in all directions including the rear window which is clear despite presence of a spoiler.
Some of the basic equipment includes a Bose audio system, auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors, cruise control and parking sensors. Optional extras include DAB radio, CD- changer Bluetooth and satellite navigation.
Passive safety in this car is top-notch with side-impact protection beams in each door; full-size airbags for driver and front passenger; double-chamber side airbags integrated into front seats; curtain airbags covering roof frame and all side windows; knee airbags for driver and front passenger and ISOFIX anchors for child seat on rear seat. There are also six-piston, internally vented front disc brakes and four-piston rear vented disc brakes. The GTS uses Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes. Parking brake is electronic.
The boot is easy to access, thanks to an electrically operated rear hatch. Load capacity is good despite the sleek outside contour of the car. All in all, this is a unique car that offers sporty performance for four passengers without compromising any of the Porsche core qualities.
There are of course many competitors — and many of them are cheaper — but none of them offers the sheer power and exhilaration that the Panamera GTS offers. This is a driver’s car — and passengers also enjoy an exciting ride that they would remember for a long time.
Buyers in the UK expect a price range of about $150,000. This should be minus UK taxes in GCC countries.