Porsche Panamera Turbo S 2021 Review

Thanks to a handful of price cuts, the updated 2021 Porsche Panamera range starts at less than $200,000 for the base model, now includes two long-wheelbase ‘Executive’ model grades and sees the return of the thunderous Turbo S model, which we’re testing here.

Check out our pricing and specs story for the full run-down, but as it stands the top-spec (non-hybrid) 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S is priced from an eye-watering $409,500 plus on-road costs.

That sort of coin buys you an astronomically potent 463kW twin-turbo V8 delivering enough muscle to squish all four occupants into their plush leather sports seats – 18-way power-adjustable and ventilated in the front – under full acceleration.

Standard features on the outside include 21-inch alloy wheels and arguably the coolest and most exotic adaptive rear spoiler ever conceived.

Headline interior features include a trio of large digital screens – for the instrument cluster, front infotainment system and quad-zone climate control panel.

There’s also a 14-speaker Bose sound system and USB ports for front and rear seat occupants.

The soft-close doors are a luxurious touch and the cabin is spacious, with four sports seats providing loads of headroom, shoulder-room and legroom for all occupants.

At 467 litres, boot space is also pretty good for a big, five-metre-long land missile, expanding to a handy 1306L with the rear seats folded down.

For all its practicality and interior space, the Porsche Panamera’s exterior design has been criticised by the press and public alike since its launch in 2009.

It’s improved over the years and this facelifted second-generation model benefits from a resculpted snout, complete with larger front air intakes along with new LED tail-light clusters.

While the update marks the welcome return of the Turbo S nameplate, the flagship model will soon be overtaken by the Turbo S E-Hybrid that slots in from $420,800 plus ORCs.

With the all-new high-tech and highly desirable Porsche Taycan Turbo S sports sedan now available too, starting at $338,500 plus ORCs, it leaves the Panamera Turbo S as a bastion of traditional values and a consummate long-distance tourer that leaves electrification to others.

Technology, driver assistance and connectivity features have all been raised in the 2021 Porsche Panamera, which sees wireless Apple CarPlay added to the mix – but there’s still no Android Auto.

Real-time traffic information, online map updates and Porsche Connect App support work with the satellite navigation system.

Driver assistance features now include lane change assist, lane keeping assist, park assist, surround view and adaptive cruise control, in addition to the autonomous emergency braking and the like.

The 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S replaces the former ‘Turbo’ model in Australia and returns the nameplate to the range for the first time in this second generation.

The big super-sedan gains an extra 59kW of power and 50Nm of torque that sees the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged and intercooled V8 engine now pumping out a mammoth 463kW of power at 6000rpm and a huge 820Nm of torque, spread evenly over 2300-4500rpm.

Being a supremely comfortable limo is part of its remit, for sure. But the all-wheel drive luxury sedan’s performance is still immense.

Despite tipping the scales at 2080kg, the Turbo S will accelerate to 100km/h in just 3.1 seconds, generating a staggering amount of thrust and accelerating with venom at any speed – presumably all the way up to the listed 315km/h v-max.

We could delve into the arguments here about whether the Panamera Turbo S still has any claim to the title of world’s fastest production luxury car, based on the time the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-Door has set around the Nurburgring.

But from our brief first drive on Australian roads, the Turbo S is irresistibly quick, it’s fast and the bassy acoustics that emanate from the quad exhaust outlets and from under the bonnet as the revs rise are marvellous.

There really is nothing quite as soul-stirring as a lusty V8 on-song.

Porsche says the Turbo S consumes high-octane fuel at a rate of 11.6L/100km on the official combined cycle, but most mere mortals – the author included – will struggle to keep that figure below 16L/100km.

There’s only one transmission option, an eight-speed dual-clutch (PDK) automatic, which offers savagely quick shifts in the sports modes, but quiet, smooth and seamless changes when cruising on more comfortable settings.

While the 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S may not be the sexiest super-sedan out there – it makes the Audi RS7 look like a supermodel – it’s impossible to argue with its driving dynamics and comfort levels.

Despite riding on vast 21-inch alloy wheels shod with super-grippy, ultra-wide tyres (275/35 front, 325/30 rear), the car’s expertly engineered suspension delivers a supple, comfortable ride ideally suited to both short-distance commuting and long-distance cruising.

Thanks to adaptive air suspension and active dampers via Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the Turbo S glides seamlessly over torn-up urban roads in normal (aka Comfort) mode.

Porsche tweaked the suspension to ensure improved ride quality chiefly due to demand from China, which accounts for 40 per cent of all global Panamera sales.

But flick the drive mode dial into Sport+ and everything firms up and the dynamic chassis control (PDCC Sport) and torque vectoring (PTV Plus) systems kick in to deliver high levels of grip and all the confidence needed to chase down smaller, more nimble sports cars.

There’s a decent level of feedback through the steering wheel, and together with the top-shelf Panamera’s uncanny ability to tuck into corners with compelling enthusiasm, what should feel like a big, heavy and ungainly leviathan turns out to be an engaging and entertaining automobile.

Indeed, the Weissach-developed luxo-barge is far more agile than it looks.

The 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S makes a welcome return to the top end of the high-performance luxury sedan market.

It delivers on the promise to provide an engaging driving experience, at any speed, and accommodate four adults in superb comfort and style.

The lusty twin-turbo V8 is a highlight, yet also the very thing that makes us wonder how long it will remain in service given the industry’s unrelenting shift towards engine downsizing and electrification.

The hybrid version of the bent-eight is still with us, of course, coming soon in the updated Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. But the Porsche Taycan is arguably more instructive in showing us the way, and indeed may already be drawing in a few would-be Panamera owners.

They won’t be disappointed. And nor, for that matter, will those buyers who maintain a watching brief on EVs and instead take the traditional route.

How much does the 2021 Porsche Panamera Turbo S cost?
Price: $409,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 463kW/820Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 11.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 265g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested