2016 Porsche Panamera Turbo UK first drive

The 1980s was a decade when everything from hairdryers to stereos - crikey, probably even Stannah Stairlifts - had 'turbo' emblazoned across it. As did, of course, many cars.

The most iconic ‘turboisation’ of them all was perhaps Porsche’s. And even today, a ‘Porsche Turbo’ decal affixed to the back of a Porsche AG product creates a buzz. Welcome then, the new Porsche Panamera Turbo. 

So what’s new? There’s more power, despite downsizing the V8 from 4.8 to 4.0 litres. The extra output is thanks to two new twinscroll turbochargers, which are now mounted centrally in the engine’s vee and, says Porsche, more responsive as a result. Cylinder deactivation – so eight cylinders become four on a light throttle – makes it more responsible, too, saving petrol and CO2. As does the fact that this engine weighs 9.5kg less than the old one.

Underneath the aluminium-clad body resides the VW Group’s MSB platform, sprouting double wishbones at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. On the Turbo, that’s all controlled by standard adaptive dampers and revised air suspension, which now contains three air chambers per strut instead of the normal two. This means extra cushioning and comfort. 

Holy moly. And if you think that’s for the performance, which, by the way is epic, you’re wrong. No, it’s for the way this thing rolls – literally.

Trundling along stunningly picturesque roads of the Cairngorms, the Panamera deals with the twists and ups and downs leagues better than its 1995kg should allow. Quite frankly, it is magnificent

In the suspension’s Normal mode, the body control is good, but as the road surface becomes more puckered and humpbacked, the dampers struggle to contain the car’s mass. So you select Sport Plus, and far from making the Panamera too stiff, the body’s excesses are curbed. The control is now stunning, even when all four wheels momentarily leave the ground, returning to earth again without bang or drama as the air springs and dampers dissipate the energy. And through all that, still it keeps the suppleness to absorb mid-bend ruts and ridges without flinching

Then there’s the front end. With the new optional four-wheel steering fitted - which at speeds above 31mph, stabilises the rear by turning the back wheels a few degrees in the same direction as the fronts – Porsche’s been able to quicken the steering. And faster steering, plus a more stable rear end, means it turns in and changes direction with the alacrity of a sniffer dog's snout, hot on the scent of contraband.