Porsche’s big wagon has nearly 700 horsepower, it’ll go nearly 200 miles per hour, and it weighs more than 5000 pounds. Somehow it is big and comfortable but also incredibly sporty. Somehow it manages to dawdle around in silent electric-only mode, then seconds later crank up a huge turbocharged V8 when you swap to Sport mode. It can move five people in comfort, as well as all of their stuff. It can also haul ass. Carfection reviewer Henry Catchpole says “It’s a bit like a 918 Spyder in this [wagon] body,” and I don’t know about you, but that sounds tremendous.
The Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid Sport Turismo is one of the longest names in Porsche nomenclature history, but it all sort of makes sense when you boil it down. Obviously it’s a Panamera. The Turbo S means it has a 550 horsepower turbocharged 4-liter V8. The e-Hybrid bit gives the car a 136 horsepower electric power bump. And finally, Sport Turismo means it’s got a humpback that can fit your tall luggage better than the standard Panamera body with a trunk.
“Possibly the most ridiculous car I think I’ve ever driven”
And of course Henry means ridiculous in the most endearing way possible. This car is a step toward everything for every driver. It’s fast and fun and incredibly loud when you want it to be, but calm and quiet and eco conscious when you need it to be. This is imperative for many large European cities, which don’t allow cars to run on gasoline power in city centers without paying a quite hefty fee. You can easily swap to eco mode and crawl around the city on full EV power before you head out to the country for a romp around on full turbo power. It’s the best of both worlds.