Speed junkies in Brunei now have a new toy to drool over. Introducing the all-new Porsche Panamera, the first four-door Gran Turismo in the history of the Company.
This new model series sets the benchmark in its class not only in terms of superior performance and exemplary efficiency, but also through a particularly high standard of personal comfort and exclusive features.
Panamera offers no less than five world-first innovations to be admired for the first time in a production model in the luxury performance segment.
The new Panamera models are constructed using lightweight hybrid materials. The axles, bonnet, wings, doors and rear lid are made from aluminium and the window frames and cylinder head cover are made from magnesium all of which reduces the overall weight and therefore fuel consumption.
Porsche’s new Gran Turismo is the first car in this segment with double-clutch transmission and a speed-sensitive power steering system, which is optional.
It is also the first car to combine a start-stop system with automatic transmission. The Panamera for the first time offers air suspension with additional air volume in each spring.
An amazing feature of this car is that, during traffic jams, the car automatically shuts down its engine to reduce fuel emissions.
Simply by pressing on the brake pedal, the driver will notice that the engine shuts down. The system then restarts if you release the brakes or move the steering wheel.
I had the opportunity to take out the car for more than just a spin. The car was incredibly fast and the handling was really awesome.
The braking system was another story. While speeding on the highway, praying that there were no police patrolling nearby, the speed metre on the dashboard went up to a speed of 230 kilometres per hour and you couldn’t tell that it was actually moving at that speed.
While test driving the vehicle, I enquired as to whether the side mirrors suffered any blind spots and the sales person at the time simply stated and I quote, “It’s a Porsche, who is going to overtake you?!” What the sales person said was very true as every car in front simply gave way.
When you sit inside one of the new Panamera models, four things immediately catch your attention, first, the elevated centre console, second, the four individual seats, third is that it has plenty of leg and head room and lastly, a large amount of space for luggage, taking into consideration the nature of the vehicle.
The seats are also equipped with seat ventilation inside them, which can be quite the lifesaver when it gets really hot outside. It is really refreshing indeed.
If you regularly spend time in the rear, the car can be customised with a range of optional equipment and packages that include changing the wood trim or carbon fibre.
With these finishes based on a decent selection of other materials offered, there is a variety of ways a person can personalise the interior to suit their personality and tastes.
You can also put in a rear seat entertainment system where you actually connect consoles such as a Sony Portable PlayStation or Sony PlayStation 3 simply by plugging in and playing on the mounted screens on the front seats back rest.
Also available as an option, the GSM telephone module. Simply insert your sim card into the phone, calls can be made using either the hands-free or the cordless handset.
For even more convenience, Bluetooth capability of a mobile can be used too. Once the Bluetooth on your phone is detected, the mobile phone aerial is switched off and the phone operates by the car’s aerial.
The in-built sound system is another thing that is excellent. Crystal-clear sound powered by BOSE or the Burmester High-End Surround Sound system.
The BOSE sound system comprises of nine amplifier channels with a total output of 200-watts.
For those having hard times performing a parallel parking maneuver, have no fear, the car is equipped with ParkAssist, which basically are four sensors located at the rear end and six sensors in the front for additional safety.
The wiper has a special function on its own as well. When raining, switch on the wiper and you will see, the heavier the rain gets, the faster the wiper moves.
The car features a cruise control option for drivers to cruise on a straight highway as well as a sliding sunroof for those who want to enjoy the breeze.
The Panamera is entering the market exclusively with a 4.8-litre eight-cylinder power unit in two output stages, giving Porsche’s supreme Gran Turismo excellent performance under all conditions.
The new engine has been upgraded and modified for the Panamera, one feature being the re-designed, flatter oil sumps, which helps to lower the car’s centre of gravity.
One of the main objectives in upgrading the engine was to reduce all moving and non-moving masses to an even lower level than before.
Last but not least, the angle of the spoiler changes to the performance setting regardless of the cars speed.
Customers wishing to own one of these bad boys will truly get their moneys worth as the vehicle provides the benefit of two separate cars, the sports and luxurious sedan under one single hood.
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