The 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S arrived on the scene not as a mere extension of existing Porsche models, but as a unique entity carving its own niche within the luxury sedan landscape. It defied easy categorization, standing apart from being simply a stretched 911 or a squashed Cayenne. Instead, it positioned itself as a distinct offering, challenging established German flagships like the BMW 750i, Mercedes-Benz S550, and Audi A8, primarily through its superior sport handling dynamics.
Unpacking the Driving Dynamics of the Panamera 4S
The fastback design of the 2010 Panamera 4s immediately sets it apart, culminating in a hatchback that surprisingly enhances practicality with a generous luggage area. Despite initial styling controversies, the Panamera’s design grows on you, especially the rear quarter and front sections.
Stepping inside, the cabin is immediately reminiscent of luxury with its fine leather, woodwork, and metallic accents. However, the firm seats and responsive suspension signal a sports car spirit beneath the luxury veneer. The Panamera 4S communicates road feel in a way that encourages active driving, contrasting with the expected plushness of a luxury sedan.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM): Tailoring Your Ride
The Panamera 4S is equipped standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), a system adjustable via console buttons. PASM offers Comfort, Sport, and Sport Plus modes. While “Comfort” might be a misnomer for those expecting a cloud-like ride, it serves as the default setting. Sport and Sport Plus modes progressively tighten the handling for more spirited driving. Sport Plus mode notably minimizes body roll, providing a more planted feel during aggressive cornering.
PASM dynamically adjusts shock absorber response based on real-time driving data. An optional air suspension further enhances adjustability, allowing for a one-inch ride height variation, though this was not featured in the tested model. The driver can easily toggle through suspension modes or engage Sport/Sport Plus, which simultaneously sharpens throttle response and modifies transmission behavior.
Engine and Transmission: The Heart of Performance
Powering the 2010 Panamera 4S is a 4.8-liter V-8 engine, utilizing direct injection and variable-valve timing to produce 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The power delivery is immediate, accompanied by an engaging engine roar, propelling the car to 60 mph in a Porsche-claimed 4.8 seconds. With the optional Sports Chrono Package Plus, the tested model achieved even quicker acceleration, shaving 0.2 seconds off the official time, thanks to an additional power boost during launch.
Fuel efficiency is surprisingly respectable for such a potent engine, rated by the EPA at 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Real-world mixed driving conditions yielded an observed 18.2 mpg. This efficiency is partly attributable to the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The PDK maintains lower engine speeds at cruising velocity, around 2,000rpm at freeway speeds, while also ensuring rapid downshifts for responsive acceleration. The car’s relatively light curb weight of 4,101 pounds also contributes to both fuel economy and agile performance.
The PDK’s responsiveness is particularly notable in its eagerness to downshift. Even a slight press of the accelerator at highway speeds prompts an immediate downshift, with further pedal input resulting in more aggressive gear changes and exhilarating power surges, making overtaking maneuvers effortless and enjoyable.
Cornering and Handling: Sports Car Agility in a Sedan Body
In cornering scenarios, the Panamera 4S showcases handling prowess that belies its five-door hatchback configuration. While Sport mode enhances engine responsiveness and PDK behavior, Sport Plus mode is where the car truly shines in dynamic driving. In Sport Plus, the engine revs are held higher, often approaching the 7,000rpm redline during spirited cornering. The chassis remains remarkably flat, resisting body roll and allowing for quick transitions through turns, delivering a driving experience akin to a dedicated sports car.
The PDK offers a manual shift mode, accessible via steering wheel-mounted buttons. However, the button placement is ergonomically flawed. With hands positioned naturally on the upper part of the steering wheel, the shift buttons become inaccessible, requiring a hand repositioning that detracts from the convenience of steering wheel shifters.
Cabin Technology and Features
The instrument cluster of the 2010 Panamera 4S emphasizes its sporty nature with a centrally positioned tachometer and a speedometer offset to the left. A digital speed readout within the tachometer provides immediate speed information. To the right of the tachometer, an innovative round LCD display offers access to route guidance, navigation maps, audio controls, phone functions, and trip data.
Complementing the instrument cluster display is a central touch screen interface in the dashboard, representing a significant modernization of Porsche’s cabin technology. The navigation system features hard drive-stored maps with 3D renderings of buildings in major cities and detailed topographical textures, rivaling systems from BMW and Audi. Address entry is managed directly through the touch screen, with quick route calculation and clear guidance graphics. Voice prompts include text-to-speech functionality, reading out street names. The system incorporates traffic data, providing warnings and detour options, although dynamic rerouting was not supported at the time.
Bluetooth phone connectivity was an optional feature, which, given the Panamera’s price point, arguably should have been standard. The system is comprehensive, capable of downloading phone contacts and displaying them on the touch screen. Notably absent is a voice command system, limiting hands-free operation.
Infotainment and Audio
The touch screen interface also manages iPod integration for the stereo system. The interface is user-friendly, displaying item counts for albums, artists, and genres. USB drives and MP3 CDs are supported with a folder and file-based interface. Despite having an onboard hard drive, it does not offer music storage.
Audio is delivered through a 585-watt Bose system with 14 speakers. This system stands out from typical automotive Bose setups, delivering near audiophile-grade sound quality, comparable to high-end systems like Mark Levinson and THX. The audio is well-balanced, with deep, resonant bass reproduction without distortion, and clear highs and mids.
Conclusion: A Unique Blend of Sport and Luxury
The 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S successfully merges the exhilarating driving dynamics of a sports car with the practicality of a luxury sedan. Its potent engine, responsive dual-clutch transmission, and adaptable suspension system create a thoroughly engaging driving experience. This performance is packaged within a distinctive fastback sedan body style that, while initially polarizing, offers unexpected hatchback utility.
While the cabin technology is advanced for its time, it represents a minor area for potential improvement. The navigation and audio systems are competitive within the luxury segment, but do not necessarily push technological boundaries. The absence of a voice command system is a notable omission. The exterior design remains a subjective aspect, but its uniqueness is undeniable. The interior is functional and well-appointed, highlighted by the innovative instrument cluster display. However, the steering wheel shift button design is an uncharacteristic ergonomic misstep from Porsche.
2010 Porsche Panamera 4S Specs:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | 2010 Porsche Panamera |
| Trim | 4S |
| Powertrain | Direct injection 4.8-liter V-8 |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway |
| Observed Fuel Economy | 18.2 mpg |
| Navigation | Hard drive-based with traffic |
| Bluetooth Phone Support | Optional |
| Disc Player | MP3 compatible single CD |
| MP3 Player Support | iPod integration |
| Other Digital Audio | USB, Bluetooth streaming, Satellite Radio |
| Audio System | Bose 585 watt 14 speaker system |
| Driver Aids | Park distance sensors, rear view camera |
| Base Price | $93,800 |
| Price as Tested | $107,040 |
