Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 (A) Review
29 Nov 2012|14,706 views
A diesel powered Porsche GT. Who would have thought that day would come? Despite the still rather common misconception that diesel power is dirty and noisy, more Singaporeans are becoming aware of the rapid advancement made in diesel technology.
Having a diesel badge doesn't just mean having higher torque figures but also a higher rebate
With 2013 heralding a new diesel tax structure and rebates/surcharges based on carbon emissions in Singapore, the Panamera Diesel hasn't arrived a moment too soon.
Making its world debut last year together with the Panamera Hybrid, the 3.0-litre turbo diesel powered Panamera is the most fuel economical model in the Panamera range.
And come 2013, it will be the most affordable Panamera in Singapore as well.
With 2013 heralding a new diesel tax structure and rebates/surcharges based on carbon emissions in Singapore, the Panamera Diesel hasn't arrived a moment too soon.
Making its world debut last year together with the Panamera Hybrid, the 3.0-litre turbo diesel powered Panamera is the most fuel economical model in the Panamera range.
And come 2013, it will be the most affordable Panamera in Singapore as well.
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Exterior
Nothing on the outside will tell the casual onlooker that you’re driving a diesel save for discrete badging on the front doors. Our white test car had optional Panamera turbo alloys that look a tad small - despite being 19-inchers - which just goes to show how big the car is.
Rest of it is standard Panamera fare - Bi-Xenon headlamps (a cost option mind you), LED rear lights, the adaptive rear spoiler and stuff you can't see like the aluminium bonnet, doors and fenders.
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Interior
The cabin of the Panamera oozes quality. The fit and finish is superb. The doors close solidly, the switchgear feel good to the touch. The 8-way powered seats can accommodate drivers of all shape and sizes.
The cabin is filled with quality materials and are all expensive to the touch
Niggles include the lack of a navigation system and rear parking camera as standard equipment - two items that we're sure the well-coif tai tai will appreciate to no end. Of course, if one is willing to check off the items on the option list, those items can naturally be fitted.
But on a base car that already costs $288,000 without COE and having to pay $1,028 for a rear wiper is rather hilarious.
The cabin of the Panamera oozes quality. The fit and finish is superb. The doors close solidly, the switchgear feel good to the touch. The 8-way powered seats can accommodate drivers of all shape and sizes.
Niggles include the lack of a navigation system and rear parking camera as standard equipment - two items that we're sure the well-coif tai tai will appreciate to no end. Of course, if one is willing to check off the items on the option list, those items can naturally be fitted.
But on a base car that already costs $288,000 without COE and having to pay $1,028 for a rear wiper is rather hilarious.
We guess quality comes with a price. Being a strict four-seater means you can't take more than 3 friends with you at a time for joy rides but the good news is that they will enjoy generous shoulder and leg room.
While a lot of items are on the option list, the sport button and damper setting are both standard
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Drivetrain
250bhp is nothing to write home about but 550Nm is. Yup, that's enough to propel the 1.8 tonne Panamera to the century mark in 6.8 seconds. Yes, acceleration does taper off a little after that but given enough space, Porsche claims the Panamera Diesel will do 242km/h.
While the base model petrol powered Panamera has 300bhp, in every day driving though, the 2967cc V6 turbo diesel feels way better. The ample amount of torque from just off idle coupled to the 8-speed automatic Tiptronic S transmission (the only transmission available) means one is never caught in the wrong gear. Just squeeze on the accelerator and there's rapid forward motion.
The Panamera Diesel will propel to the century mark in just 6.8 seconds, thanks to the generous amount of torque
The transmission shifts so unobtrusively, even as the driver, you'll be hard pressed to know what gear you're currently in. The Audi-sourced 3.0-litre turbo diesel powerplant sounds good too from within the cabin when stretched, although there is really no reason to do so considering the torque peaks between 1,750 to 2,750rpm and the ratios are closely spaced.
On the outside, there's just a hint of diesel clatter if one is looking out for it, but on the inside, there's no way one can tell it's a diesel. Handling too is unchanged from the 'standard' Panamera despite the car weighing about 120kg more because of the engine and gearbox - in other words, excellent for a car of its size and weight.
250bhp is nothing to write home about but 550Nm is. Yup, that's enough to propel the 1.8 tonne Panamera to the century mark in 6.8 seconds. Yes, acceleration does taper off a little after that but given enough space, Porsche claims the Panamera Diesel will do 242km/h.
While the base model petrol powered Panamera has 300bhp, in every day driving though, the 2967cc V6 turbo diesel feels way better. The ample amount of torque from just off idle coupled to the 8-speed automatic Tiptronic S transmission (the only transmission available) means one is never caught in the wrong gear. Just squeeze on the accelerator and there's rapid forward motion.
The transmission shifts so unobtrusively, even as the driver, you'll be hard pressed to know what gear you're currently in. The Audi-sourced 3.0-litre turbo diesel powerplant sounds good too from within the cabin when stretched, although there is really no reason to do so considering the torque peaks between 1,750 to 2,750rpm and the ratios are closely spaced.
On the outside, there's just a hint of diesel clatter if one is looking out for it, but on the inside, there's no way one can tell it's a diesel. Handling too is unchanged from the 'standard' Panamera despite the car weighing about 120kg more because of the engine and gearbox - in other words, excellent for a car of its size and weight.
Yes, there's a fair bit of roll even with the dampers set to the firmer of the 2 settings but the offshoot of that is that the ride is excellent over all surfaces despite the rather broad tyres. Steering feel might not rank high among on the priority list but you'll be glad to know that its class leading…
It's not the 250 horses that's impressive, it's the 550Nm of torque that got our attention
Conclusion
So what's not to like about the Panamera diesel? Well, not much actually. Yes, the road tax is a tad more than the 300bhp 3.6-litre petrol variant ($3,546 vs $3,331). However, the cheaper cost of diesel and better fuel economy will more than cover that differential within a month or two.
Furthermore, in daily driving situations, the diesel is a nicer drive than the petrol. Plus it's more environmentally friendly too. And come January 2013, the entry level petrol powered Panamera with a CO2 emission of 265g/km will be slapped with a $15,000 carbon emissions based surcharge, making it more expensive than the diesel.
So for those looking to buy an entry level Panamera, the choice is clear…
Conclusion
So what's not to like about the Panamera diesel? Well, not much actually. Yes, the road tax is a tad more than the 300bhp 3.6-litre petrol variant ($3,546 vs $3,331). However, the cheaper cost of diesel and better fuel economy will more than cover that differential within a month or two.
Furthermore, in daily driving situations, the diesel is a nicer drive than the petrol. Plus it's more environmentally friendly too. And come January 2013, the entry level petrol powered Panamera with a CO2 emission of 265g/km will be slapped with a $15,000 carbon emissions based surcharge, making it more expensive than the diesel.
So for those looking to buy an entry level Panamera, the choice is clear…
A diesel powered Porsche GT. Who would have thought that day would come? Despite the still rather common misconception that diesel power is dirty and noisy, more Singaporeans are becoming aware of the rapid advancement made in diesel technology.
With 2013 heralding a new diesel tax structure and rebates/surcharges based on carbon emissions in Singapore, the Panamera Diesel hasn't arrived a moment too soon.
Making its world debut last year together with the Panamera Hybrid, the 3.0-litre turbo diesel powered Panamera is the most fuel economical model in the Panamera range.
And come 2013, it will be the most affordable Panamera in Singapore as well.
With 2013 heralding a new diesel tax structure and rebates/surcharges based on carbon emissions in Singapore, the Panamera Diesel hasn't arrived a moment too soon.
Making its world debut last year together with the Panamera Hybrid, the 3.0-litre turbo diesel powered Panamera is the most fuel economical model in the Panamera range.
And come 2013, it will be the most affordable Panamera in Singapore as well.
Exterior
Nothing on the outside will tell the casual onlooker that you’re driving a diesel save for discrete badging on the front doors. Our white test car had optional Panamera turbo alloys that look a tad small - despite being 19-inchers - which just goes to show how big the car is.
Rest of it is standard Panamera fare - Bi-Xenon headlamps (a cost option mind you), LED rear lights, the adaptive rear spoiler and stuff you can't see like the aluminium bonnet, doors and fenders.
Interior
The cabin of the Panamera oozes quality. The fit and finish is superb. The doors close solidly, the switchgear feel good to the touch. The 8-way powered seats can accommodate drivers of all shape and sizes.
Niggles include the lack of a navigation system and rear parking camera as standard equipment - two items that we're sure the well-coif tai tai will appreciate to no end. Of course, if one is willing to check off the items on the option list, those items can naturally be fitted.
But on a base car that already costs $288,000 without COE and having to pay $1,028 for a rear wiper is rather hilarious.
The cabin of the Panamera oozes quality. The fit and finish is superb. The doors close solidly, the switchgear feel good to the touch. The 8-way powered seats can accommodate drivers of all shape and sizes.
Niggles include the lack of a navigation system and rear parking camera as standard equipment - two items that we're sure the well-coif tai tai will appreciate to no end. Of course, if one is willing to check off the items on the option list, those items can naturally be fitted.
But on a base car that already costs $288,000 without COE and having to pay $1,028 for a rear wiper is rather hilarious.
We guess quality comes with a price. Being a strict four-seater means you can't take more than 3 friends with you at a time for joy rides but the good news is that they will enjoy generous shoulder and leg room.
Drivetrain
250bhp is nothing to write home about but 550Nm is. Yup, that's enough to propel the 1.8 tonne Panamera to the century mark in 6.8 seconds. Yes, acceleration does taper off a little after that but given enough space, Porsche claims the Panamera Diesel will do 242km/h.
While the base model petrol powered Panamera has 300bhp, in every day driving though, the 2967cc V6 turbo diesel feels way better. The ample amount of torque from just off idle coupled to the 8-speed automatic Tiptronic S transmission (the only transmission available) means one is never caught in the wrong gear. Just squeeze on the accelerator and there's rapid forward motion.
The transmission shifts so unobtrusively, even as the driver, you'll be hard pressed to know what gear you're currently in. The Audi-sourced 3.0-litre turbo diesel powerplant sounds good too from within the cabin when stretched, although there is really no reason to do so considering the torque peaks between 1,750 to 2,750rpm and the ratios are closely spaced.
On the outside, there's just a hint of diesel clatter if one is looking out for it, but on the inside, there's no way one can tell it's a diesel. Handling too is unchanged from the 'standard' Panamera despite the car weighing about 120kg more because of the engine and gearbox - in other words, excellent for a car of its size and weight.
250bhp is nothing to write home about but 550Nm is. Yup, that's enough to propel the 1.8 tonne Panamera to the century mark in 6.8 seconds. Yes, acceleration does taper off a little after that but given enough space, Porsche claims the Panamera Diesel will do 242km/h.
While the base model petrol powered Panamera has 300bhp, in every day driving though, the 2967cc V6 turbo diesel feels way better. The ample amount of torque from just off idle coupled to the 8-speed automatic Tiptronic S transmission (the only transmission available) means one is never caught in the wrong gear. Just squeeze on the accelerator and there's rapid forward motion.
The transmission shifts so unobtrusively, even as the driver, you'll be hard pressed to know what gear you're currently in. The Audi-sourced 3.0-litre turbo diesel powerplant sounds good too from within the cabin when stretched, although there is really no reason to do so considering the torque peaks between 1,750 to 2,750rpm and the ratios are closely spaced.
On the outside, there's just a hint of diesel clatter if one is looking out for it, but on the inside, there's no way one can tell it's a diesel. Handling too is unchanged from the 'standard' Panamera despite the car weighing about 120kg more because of the engine and gearbox - in other words, excellent for a car of its size and weight.
Yes, there's a fair bit of roll even with the dampers set to the firmer of the 2 settings but the offshoot of that is that the ride is excellent over all surfaces despite the rather broad tyres. Steering feel might not rank high among on the priority list but you'll be glad to know that its class leading…
Conclusion
So what's not to like about the Panamera diesel? Well, not much actually. Yes, the road tax is a tad more than the 300bhp 3.6-litre petrol variant ($3,546 vs $3,331). However, the cheaper cost of diesel and better fuel economy will more than cover that differential within a month or two.
Furthermore, in daily driving situations, the diesel is a nicer drive than the petrol. Plus it's more environmentally friendly too. And come January 2013, the entry level petrol powered Panamera with a CO2 emission of 265g/km will be slapped with a $15,000 carbon emissions based surcharge, making it more expensive than the diesel.
So for those looking to buy an entry level Panamera, the choice is clear…
Conclusion
So what's not to like about the Panamera diesel? Well, not much actually. Yes, the road tax is a tad more than the 300bhp 3.6-litre petrol variant ($3,546 vs $3,331). However, the cheaper cost of diesel and better fuel economy will more than cover that differential within a month or two.
Furthermore, in daily driving situations, the diesel is a nicer drive than the petrol. Plus it's more environmentally friendly too. And come January 2013, the entry level petrol powered Panamera with a CO2 emission of 265g/km will be slapped with a $15,000 carbon emissions based surcharge, making it more expensive than the diesel.
So for those looking to buy an entry level Panamera, the choice is clear…
Photos by Chew Chen Yang
Car Information
Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 (A)
CAT B|Diesel|15.4km/L
Horsepower
186kW (250 bhp)
Torque
550 Nm
Acceleration
6.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Porsche Panamera Diesel
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