The article was originally produced on November 1, 2019, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

Porsche Panamera Turbo

If you don't have access to a helicopter, the new Porsche Panamera Turbo is definitely the best option to get to the mountains in comfort and at express speed.

Porsche introduced the Panamera model in 2009, a large 4-door luxury coupe. Initial comments were wildly mixed, with some deeming it among the ugliest things to ever roll out of the Leipzig factory while others understood its potential. The real Porsche geeks have never accepted a Porsche with the engine at the front. But the classic 928 with a V8 in the front paved the way for a new audience. 

With hindsight, the Panamera was a success together with its sibling the Cayenne and exactly what Porsche needed to strengthen its already strong brand. With these two models, the introduction of fuel technology other than petrol also began. Diesel and hybrid powertrains were introduced to the chagrin of many. This is also a step in the right direction if you look at the results. But for now, let's forget about those powertrains and focus on the best of the best, a beefy twin-turbo V8 engine. The engine that the top model Panamera Turbo is equipped with. Gate Report took the new Panamera Turbo to Åre to explore this new luxury express sedan. 

What many may not know is that the slightly peculiar round coupé shape actually originates from a Bugatti model called the EB 112. The shape of this concept, shown in 1993, is clearly recognizable on the production version of the Panamera. On the new Panamera, the soft lines are still there, but they have now been refined and, above all, the rear end has been strengthened with a similar light ramp for the rear lights, as the siblings 911, Boxster and Cayman have, where the lights extend over the entire rear section. With a length of 505 centimeters, the Panamera is anything but a small car, which is 3.5 centimeters longer than the previous generation. The width of the car has also grown, albeit by only four millimeters. Despite large external dimensions, the cabin feels tight. However, not in a negative way, but like a well-tailored suit. Everything sits where it should and thanks to a variety of settings in the sports seats, no one should have to sit uncomfortably in the new Panamera. It is clear that Porsche wanted to make a perfect compromise between luxury sedan and sports car. Something that becomes even more obvious when you start the engine and drive away. In classic Porsche fashion, you start the car on the west side of the steering wheel. In a sober way, the engine comes to life. The first impression is not that 550 horsepower has just been brought to life, which is now controlled by the right foot. If you opt for the Sport Chrono package, 100 kilometers per hour now looms 3.6 seconds away. If you don't let go of your right foot and have enough road in front of you, the top speed will be reached when the meter needle is at 306 kilometers per hour. On the trip to Åre and in the winter climate, there were no opportunities to explore speeds of this rank. Even so, there were good opportunities to really understand the car's potential and how incredibly stable it is at high speeds. Of course, performance like this is followed by a very high fuel consumption. Something Porsche met by having a system that shuts off half of the cylinders at low stress, which reduces consumption by up to 30 percent.

To help when driving in the dark, there is a system with a thermal camera that can detect and mark animals and pedestrians. This is then displayed in a window in front of the steering wheel. You can also equip the car with LED matrix headlights, which in turn will illuminate the objects that the car warns of. Porsche has developed a system called InnoDrive. This is an adaptive cruise control that keeps track of the road about three kilometers ahead and with the help of navigation and radar as well as cameras, the car then adapts its driving. Just like the vast majority of cars built now, the new Panamera supports Apple CarPlay, which allows you to connect your phone and mirror it in the car's infotainment system. 

If the most important thing in life is to take advantage of every minute, the new Porsche Panamera Turbo is clearly the way to go. With both comfort, performance and technology in the absolute top class, the journey to whatever destination you choose will end with a broad smile.