Introducing the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

30th Aug 2017

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo shows how the German manufacturer isn't afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to vehicle design. The Panamera is already available as a large saloon sports car, offered in a number of variants.

The Sport Turismo takes it up a notch in terms of practicality due to its estate body style, which is perhaps most suited to the term 'Shooting Brake' as it is somewhat half way between an estate and hatchback. This means the car's rear is extended, as inside one more seat has been added to the rear bench enabling room for five total occupants, including the driver, the first time ever in a Panamera.

So why have Porsche created the Panamera Sport Turismo?

Why not? At a time where manufacturers tend to play it safe, you have to admire the uniqueness of the Sport Turismo design. Porsche market the car as 'Nothing like what everyone thinks a Porsche should be. But still a Porsche.'

1390 litres of space (a little less in the Hybrid) confirms you do get the extra room, and the Sport Turismo is certainly a unique style, and one that perhaps isn't going to appeal to all - but then again this is perhaps the point. The fact is, estate or shooting brake, the extra practicality will mean some will not have to venture into SUV territory in order to find enhanced practicality. The other trick with the Sport Turismo is that it holds onto its typical Porsche sports car performance.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Specification

An array of various specifications is available. The 'entry level' 4 has a choice of either a 3.0-litre V6 petrol developing 325bhp, good for 60mph in 5.3 seconds. A petrol/plug in hybrid 4 is also available which develops even more power, with 455bhp on tap, dropping the 0-60mph time to just 4.5 seconds. These are joined by a pair of 4S models; either a 2.9-litre V6 petrol or 4.0-litre V8 diesel. These offer 433bhp and 415bhp respectively. The petrol is a tenth quicker to 60mph at 4.3 seconds.

The range topping Turbo really emphasises Porsche sports car performance; even more so than the 4 and 4S variants. Fitted with a colossal 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo delivers 542bhp, which means 60mph is dealt with in only 3.7 seconds.

A well-laid-out, modern interior is typically full of well-made and beautifully finished materials which is commonplace in all of the current Porsche range.