A rally legend gives the new Porsche Panamera his stamp of approval.
Walter Röhrl has an incredible racing legacy. He has two World Rally Championships to his name, along with a class win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a historic Pikes Peak International Hillclimb record. With those titles, Röhrl knows a lot about performance cars, and especially the makings of an excellent performance car, and as Porsche brand ambassador, the historic luxury performance car manufacturer put its new Panamera to the test to see what he thought about it, as it combines being a luxury sedan and a sports car in one.
Taking it out for a spin in Zell am See, Austria, in the same place as the exhilarating F.A.T. International Ice Race, Röhrl is impressed by the performance characteristics of the new Panamera, and has been impressed by the Panamera since its introduction 15 years ago. He mentions that the Panamera has been able to combine the comfort of a luxury car, and the driving feeling of a 911, with a low stance and a feeling of connection to the road.
Despite being a plush luxury vehicle, Röhrl mentions that the Panamera is an excellent sports car to carve through corners and take on exciting driving roads like mountain passes, which are exactly the kinds of roads that Zell am See has to offer, nestled in the Alps on the picturesque Lake Zell. Porsche’s Active Ride Suspension contributes to both comfort and athleticism, absorbing bumps and providing excellent feedback for the driver to understand exactly what the road underneath is like. It combines air suspension and hydraulic dampers in a high-tech, cutting-edge fashion to achieve this duality.
However, one of the most versatile aspects of the new Panamera is its variety of powertrains, with the Turbo S E-Hybrid being the most powerful and sophisticated. With it, you have gasoline, hybrid, and all-electric power at your fingertips for any driving situation, everyday use, high-performance, or long hauls. With the versatility of being both an excellent luxury car and a thrilling performance machine, and the endorsement of one of the world’s greatest racing legends, the new Porsche Panamera is a genuine Porsche through and through, and one of the greatest ones yet.
Image Source: Porsche