The steam hammer Porsche Panamera Turbo

D which is the class of top-class limousines with 500 hp and more traditionally first class staff. Although the previous sporty pole setter of this type of car, the BMW M5, is about to be replaced, there are plenty of offspring. Audi has the all-wheel drive RS6 in its range, Mercedes is sending the brand new E 63 AMG with rear-wheel drive into the race for the favor of sufficiently well-heeled and sporty family people with a need for space. Jaguar is involved with the XF-R, which has recently been strengthened to 510 hp, and Alpina with the B5 S.

So it is no wonder that, in view of the illustrious competition, Porsche also discovered a need for action and, under Wendelin Wiedeking, hastily launched a fourth series called the Panamera. The big new Porsche world begins with the 400 hp S version with a naturally aspirated V8 engine, which is optionally available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

The engine of the Panamera Turbo comes from the Porsche Cayenne

The top model of the series goes to the start charged like the 911 cult sports car: The 4.8-liter front engine, known from the Cayenne, attacks the wheels of both, which is forced to ventilate with two exhaust gas turbochargers Axles with 500 horsepower and up to 700 Newton meters of torque and therefore seems to be well equipped for the duel with the best of the best. The task for Porsche with the Panamera is far more difficult than with the 911, for example. Where one can and should be uncompromisingly sporty, the other must square the circle. Suitable for sports? Certainly. The five-meter-long Granturismo with its coupé-like lines and rounded rear end owes this to its origins. In contrast to the 911, comfort is much more important here.

Those who come from Mercedes, Audi or Jaguar - and it is precisely these customers that are to be won over - value a dignified and comfortable travel experience. Environment. At best, BMW drivers are willing to forego a certain amount of comfort in this vehicle class. In this context, they are also not really spoiled by their brand. So Porsche Panamera Turbo. Dressed in innocent white and with 20-inch slippers, behind which the Porsche Ceramic Composite Break, or PCCB for short, is hidden with mighty 410-millimeter panes at the front. Recognizable by the yellow saddles and only available for an extra charge. The same applies to those ofPorsche developed Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) for the standard air suspension. The system, which is linked to the electronic rear axle lock, uses active stabilizers at the front and rear to prevent the body from rolling around the vehicle's longitudinal axis.

The fastest in its weight class : The Porsche Panamera Turbo in Hockenheim

As a result, the two-tonner in the Sport Plus program with the hardest of the three-stage adjustable damper detection is like the proverbial board on the road. Equipped in this way, the four-seater burns an impressive lap time of 1.13.7 minutes on the Hockenheimer asphalt. No chauffeur car of this weight and quality class has been faster. Only the brand new Mercedes E 63 AMG can do just as well with 1.14.0 minutes. For comparison: the current, 385 PS strong and 1,450 kilogram light 911 Carrera S completed the same exercise in the Supertest in August 2008, only marginally faster with 1.13.4 minutes. Here as there, the Porsche dual-clutch transmission with seven gear steps is responsible for the power transmission, which is standard on the Panamera Turbo, but is subject to a surcharge on the 911 with the S identification , three-spoke sports steering wheel with fixed shift paddles, which also cost a surcharge, is still used in the Panamera Turbo with the well-known sliding button valance. In view of the agility and light-footedness with which the two-tonner dances around the 2.6-kilometer course, its moderately good functionality is almost forgotten. Steering behavior, stamina and stability on the brakes, neutrality and reliability - the all-wheel drive Granturismo is good in every respect for top marks in the sportiest of the three driving programs and with the tautest of the three damper identifiers of the PASM chassis.

Schluckspecht: On average, the Porsche Panamera Turbo consumed 19.7 liters

In contrast to the current BMW M5, for example, the commitment to sport in the Porsche Panamera Turbo brings almost no loss of comfort with himself. At least as long as the Sport Plus automatic mode is not used. In this case, the tall white man refuses to shift up for a long time, which is neither good for the ears nor the wallet. 31.1 liters of maximum consumption in the sportiest of all operating modes are in the Porsche Panamera Turbo under full load as well as 17 liters of Super Plus over 100 kilometers with a more restrained driving style. On average, the test car's thirst leveled off at 19.7 liters of fuel. Anyone who pays just under 169,000 euros for the fully equipped top Panamera will be able to live with it. Especially since, unlike the competition from BMW, the generously dimensioned 100 liter tank ensures a sufficient range. At the latest at the gas stationPanamera Turbo drivers will ditch BMW M5 drivers with cold smiles - regardless of a lower score in the sport auto rating.