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21st
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There are days when I envy rich people. They get to buy what they want, when they want. They get to feel what it's like to be financially powerful, to make things happen with a simple finger snap. The old proverb, “money can't buy happiness” was definitely created by a poor man.
Then again, being rich does have its issues, the biggest one being that you no longer have goals, challenges and dreams. And you can't be satisfied with anything less than a step above the best. Let's update that proverb: Money can buy short-term happiness.
Case in point: The 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S, a 550-hp, four-passenger, $200K missile. Oh, it can make you happy all right, and it made me really, really happy for a few days. Since I'm not rich, though, even an $88K base Panamera would do it for me.
The ultimate Porsche sedan
The excess begins with the marvel of a powerplant in the Turbo S. The twin-turbo 4.8L V8 develops 550 hp and up to 590 lb-ft of torque. A dual-clutch, 7-speed automated sequential gearbox, which Porsche dubs the PDK, smartly manages all that firepower.
Hang on tight and the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S will rocket to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Press the Sport Plus button, mash the throttle, and the all-wheel drivetrain will take care of distributing the massive amount of torque to the wheels, making for clean, uneventful launches. Actually, it feels like being shot out of a cannon, making your three passengers search for barf bags.
On the long, sloping centre console you'll find a button that provides extra-throaty engine sounds, great for impressing your snobbish Country Club buddies. Why such a feature on a car? Because when you're rich, more is good. Want to amaze them even more? Tell them to look out back of the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S as you hit highway speeds (or use the console-mounted button), and they'll witness the rear spoiler in full glory, lifting from the car's rump and opening up like butterfly wings.
And before treehuggers start complaining about your 550-hp ride, know that our average of 13L/100km is quite impressive for such a supercar. Cruise at 90 km/h on the highway listening to Tchaikovsky's masterpieces, and you'll likely consume under 10L/100km. Around town, the car's automatic start/stop system will also help, although it doesn't turn on very often.
Split personality
The 2012 Porsche Pamamera Turbo S also handles well thanks to an adjustable suspension that hunkers down in Sport Plus mode, stiffening up the air shocks and reducing body roll to a faint trace. Punch the Comfort mode, and you'll enjoy a smooth and more relaxed ride. You really feel and appreciate the obvious difference between settings.
The car's split personality means you actually get two cars in one; a comfy, relaxing luxury cruiser and a vicious back-road brawler. Then again, if you're rich, you probably don't want just one car that can do it all. But the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S can.
Sumptuous cockpit
What a wonderful place to spend time. The multi-adjustable front seats in the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S feel fantastic, and even backseat occupants get their own bucket seats -- heated, no less. Ventilated seats are also available for everyone, but let's not get into detail about the car's endless options list. Let's just say that a $300K Turbo S is only a few checked option boxes away.
The endless array of buttons on the console may look complicated, but they're not; climate controls are on top, performance features are on the bottom left, and gadgets are on the bottom right.
Oh, and the Burmester audio system, a $4,790 option (bah, pocket change), which includes 16 speakers and over 1,000 watts of output, simply sounds phenomenal.
As a bonus, you even get a 432-litre trunk.
An attention grabber?
So the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S starts at $200,300. No sweat.
The thing is, the Average Joe won't be able to distinguish the Turbo S from a base, 300-hp Panamera, which costs about $110,000 less. Trunk badge, 5-mm wider rear track, and some minor trim upgrades: those are the only real differences.
For over 200 big ones, an Aston Martin Rapide would be more exclusive, although it's “only” got 470 hp. A Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed boasts 600 hp, but lacks the dynamic driving characteristics of the Porsche. And the upcoming 520-hp, 2013 Audi S8 will be much less expensive -- not that money's a big concern at this point.
The 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S is arguably the best performing and best handling luxury sedan your Swiss bank account interest will buy. That's probably all you need to know. But since you're filthy rich, how long will you be happy with it before wanting more?
Then again, being rich does have its issues, the biggest one being that you no longer have goals, challenges and dreams. And you can't be satisfied with anything less than a step above the best. Let's update that proverb: Money can buy short-term happiness.
 |
Case in point: The 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S, a 550-hp, four-passenger, $200K missile. Oh, it can make you happy all right, and it made me really, really happy for a few days. Since I'm not rich, though, even an $88K base Panamera would do it for me.
The ultimate Porsche sedan
The excess begins with the marvel of a powerplant in the Turbo S. The twin-turbo 4.8L V8 develops 550 hp and up to 590 lb-ft of torque. A dual-clutch, 7-speed automated sequential gearbox, which Porsche dubs the PDK, smartly manages all that firepower.
Hang on tight and the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S will rocket to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Press the Sport Plus button, mash the throttle, and the all-wheel drivetrain will take care of distributing the massive amount of torque to the wheels, making for clean, uneventful launches. Actually, it feels like being shot out of a cannon, making your three passengers search for barf bags.
On the long, sloping centre console you'll find a button that provides extra-throaty engine sounds, great for impressing your snobbish Country Club buddies. Why such a feature on a car? Because when you're rich, more is good. Want to amaze them even more? Tell them to look out back of the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S as you hit highway speeds (or use the console-mounted button), and they'll witness the rear spoiler in full glory, lifting from the car's rump and opening up like butterfly wings.
And before treehuggers start complaining about your 550-hp ride, know that our average of 13L/100km is quite impressive for such a supercar. Cruise at 90 km/h on the highway listening to Tchaikovsky's masterpieces, and you'll likely consume under 10L/100km. Around town, the car's automatic start/stop system will also help, although it doesn't turn on very often.
 |
| On the centre console you'll find a button that provides extra-throaty engine sounds to impress your snobbish Country Club buddies. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
Split personality
The 2012 Porsche Pamamera Turbo S also handles well thanks to an adjustable suspension that hunkers down in Sport Plus mode, stiffening up the air shocks and reducing body roll to a faint trace. Punch the Comfort mode, and you'll enjoy a smooth and more relaxed ride. You really feel and appreciate the obvious difference between settings.
The car's split personality means you actually get two cars in one; a comfy, relaxing luxury cruiser and a vicious back-road brawler. Then again, if you're rich, you probably don't want just one car that can do it all. But the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S can.
Sumptuous cockpit
What a wonderful place to spend time. The multi-adjustable front seats in the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S feel fantastic, and even backseat occupants get their own bucket seats -- heated, no less. Ventilated seats are also available for everyone, but let's not get into detail about the car's endless options list. Let's just say that a $300K Turbo S is only a few checked option boxes away.
The endless array of buttons on the console may look complicated, but they're not; climate controls are on top, performance features are on the bottom left, and gadgets are on the bottom right.
Oh, and the Burmester audio system, a $4,790 option (bah, pocket change), which includes 16 speakers and over 1,000 watts of output, simply sounds phenomenal.
As a bonus, you even get a 432-litre trunk.
 |
| Even backseat occupants get their own bucket seats -- heated, no less. (Photo: Sébastien D'Amour) |
An attention grabber?
So the 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S starts at $200,300. No sweat.
The thing is, the Average Joe won't be able to distinguish the Turbo S from a base, 300-hp Panamera, which costs about $110,000 less. Trunk badge, 5-mm wider rear track, and some minor trim upgrades: those are the only real differences.
For over 200 big ones, an Aston Martin Rapide would be more exclusive, although it's “only” got 470 hp. A Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed boasts 600 hp, but lacks the dynamic driving characteristics of the Porsche. And the upcoming 520-hp, 2013 Audi S8 will be much less expensive -- not that money's a big concern at this point.
The 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S is arguably the best performing and best handling luxury sedan your Swiss bank account interest will buy. That's probably all you need to know. But since you're filthy rich, how long will you be happy with it before wanting more?