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Porsche Panamera
Engine
Power is unchanged, but the engine is now cleaner and more frugal, with the revised eight-speed Tiptronic S auto gearbox helping it manage 44.8mpg and 166g/km of CO2.What’s the 2013 Porsche Panamera like to drive?The V6 diesel model can accelerate to 62mph in 6.8 seconds, which is impressive given its 1880kg kerb weight. However, while the engine always remains smooth, it doesn't sound particularly dramatic or sporty.Porsche has done away with the Panamera’s manual gearbox option completely, so the eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic is now standard on the diesel.
Handling
Hitting the Panamera’s standard 'Sport' button makes the 'box hang on to gears for longer and sharpens the throttle responses. Plus, if you specify the £1052 Active Suspension Management (PASM) system fitted to our car, the Sport mode stiffens the suspension.In its softest setting the Panamera is good at soaking up bumps, and it continues to impress in Sport, only struggling with large potholes.True, the firmest Sport Plus mode does highlight patchy surfaces, but the ride is still far from punishing, and the Panamera stays noticeably flatter during hard cornering.The Panamera's steering is surprisingly light at low speeds, but this is no bad thing because it helps manoeuvrability in town.Besides, the steering weights up when you go faster, delivering precise and consistent responses that help you place the front of the car with confidence.As impressive as the handling is, though, the Panamera is at its best when cruising on wide, high-speed roads, where its excellent suppression of both wind- and road noise keeps things very relaxed.-
Interior
The interior of the Panamera remains mostly unchanged, so the rear cabin accommodates only two people, albeit in comfortable, individually adjustable seats. The boot is big enough for daily use, although it's actually not much bigger than a VW Golf's and is an awkward shape. The Panamera is clearly a luxurious car, though, and it shows. You feel pampered behind the wheel, with the centre console bisecting the cabin and housing most of the switchgear, and a standard colour touch-screen dominating the shallow, upright dashboard.
Exterior
The face-lifted Porsche Panamera represents more of a spring clean than a serious revision, so you’ll struggle to spot the styling tweaks to this 2013 model; they include a new front bumper, reshaped front and rear lights and a wider rear window.
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