Mercedes Benz and BMW have long been renowned for their flagship sedan, the S Class and 7 Series. Maserati also have the beautiful Quattroporte and until recently Aston Martin offered the stunning Rapide. This was a market Porsche did not enter until 2009 with the launch of the Panamera.

The Panamera is a luxury sedan with long, flowing bodywork. Unlike the 911 the engine was in the front, with a variety of powerplants offered. From six cylinder petrol engines in the base model to the twin turbo in the Turbo S, the Panamera has all bases covered. For the environmentally conscious there is also a plug in Hybrid model. The Panamera is rear wheel drive, with all wheel drive optional. All Panameras feature a PDK automatic gearbox.

The original Panamera, coded 970, was sold from 2009 to 2016, receiving an extensive upgrade in 2013. The 970 was then superceded by the 971 which has significantly upgraded bodywork. An estate variant called Gran Turismo has recently been unveiled, featuring additional luggage space. With excellent performance and wonderful road holding, the Panamera offers a desirable option for the astute enthusiast looking for a high end performance sedan.