South Africa | Cape Town to McGregor is a good road two hours through Rawsonville and Robertson, and there are few more enjoyable ways of getting there than in Stuttgart's armchair sports rocket, the four door Panamera.
The test car sported Porsche's V6 twin-turbo engine, good for almost every situation, immediate, forceful and acceptably economical. that V6 is a delight, immediate, muscular, melodic. The suspension equally so; if you forgo the Du Toitskloof tunnel and head over the pass you get the chance to experience it in all its glory. Supremely comfortable, grippy, it's one of the best on the market, dynamic and luxurious all at once. Ten minutes in and the sense if of an old friend, but one that can Walter Mitty at the turn of a dial.
Porsche's latest four door, four seater is a delicious contradiction; a supremely comfortable executive sedan that eats sportscars for breakfast. Thank the low centre of gravity, wide stance and superb suspension setup for that.
The test car sported Porsche's V6 twin turbo engine, good for almost every situation, immediate, forceful and acceptably economical. Out on the road it's hard to imagine a better balance than the 'standard' Panamera 4.
The new suspension tweaks have made an already good setup one of the best around and the everyday driving feedback from brakes, steering and chassis is hugely rewarding.
Inside, the usual Porsche hewn-from-granite build quality is evident, as is the inevitable move toward digitisation.
The touchscreen is logical and well laid out, space, both fore and aft, is excellent as is noise insulation. A genuine GT in the finest tradition, the best of the species.
