Category: Large Executive 
Price Range: £72,266 to £95,298
Towering performance of Turbo version, great stability, direct steering.
Styling won't appeal to everyone, size limits agility, not as spacious as it could be.
The Panamera is the most dynamic four-door you can buy.
The Panamera is absolutely devastating on fast, open roads. The long, low, wide body means there is almost no roll and the road-holding is exemplary - we took it to 300km/h (186mph) on a German autobahn and it felt more like a TGV train than a 911.
When it does finally run out of grip, the ESP allows the car to slide a little before gradually bringing things back into line. It is an object lesson in how to make electronics assist the keen driver, rather than crudely preventing the car from reaching its limits.
The steering is also excellent, which helps to make the Panamera feel more dynamic than a BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. But don't think of it as a four-seat 911: it's simply too big and heavy (two tonnes in the case of the Turbo).
Indeed, this is a very wide car for hustling down country lanes and, if you stick to your own side of the carriageway, there is no question of trying to position the car on the road since it takes up the whole lane.
It's also worth noting that the Panamera is sensitive to specification. For example, the optional air suspension is highly recommended, providing cast-iron body control on rough surfaces without compromising the ride.
And when it comes to choosing a transmission for the rear-wheel-drive S model, the optional PDK dual-clutch gearbox isn't for everyone. Designed to feel more like a conventional auto with slurred shifts, it is best left in auto mode around town, as manual shifts can be very hesitant. During fast driving, manual shifts are better, but there can still be irritating delays when changing up a gear.
