\n\u30fbFeatured car: 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
\n\u30fbPen name: Kazukun
\n\u30fbLocation: Hyogo Prefecture
\n\u30fbFamily: Wife (usually drives a Wagon R, but occasionally takes the Panamera), one son (22, owner of a Cadillac Escalade), and one daughter (no driver\u2019s license)
\n\u30fbPrevious cars:
\nToyota MA70 Supra \u2192 Toyota Corolla Levin AE86 GT-V \u2192 Cadillac STS \u2192 Chevrolet Suburban \u2192 Chevrolet C3500 Dually \u2192 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD \u2192 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
\n\u30fbA message for readers: With the all-electric Taycan on its way, I think a Porsche hybrid is worth considering, too.<\/strong> It may not be the most popular trim at the moment, but it\u2019s an exceptionally well-engineered car.<\/p>\n
1) How I Chose My Porsche<\/h3>\nFrom American Cars to German Cars<\/h4>\n
I used to drive American cars, but for various reasons I had to let mine go. For a while, I got by without a car.<\/p>\n
I found myself thinking, \u201cWhat should I get next? After an American car, I\u2019d love to own a German car I\u2019ve always admired.\u201d But Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen models were everywhere around my neighborhood. (Laughs.)<\/p>\n Seeing so many of them brought home just how popular Mercedes-Benz and Audi were. But I had one particular preference:<\/p>\n \u201cI want to avoid being stopped at a traffic light next to another car just like mine.\u201d<\/p>\n So I started paying closer attention to the cars around me, thinking, \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll get a Porsche next?\u201d A few months later, I\u2019d made up my mind: I was going to buy a Porsche.<\/p>\n I wanted a car for everyday use<\/strong>, so I ruled out two-door models. The Macan was also out because of its size. I\u2019ve always liked large-displacement engines, so the Cayenne and Panamera made the final shortlist,<\/strong> and I took both for several test drives.<\/p>\n I preferred the way a supercharger delivered its torque and the overall feel of a supercharged car over a turbocharged one, so I narrowed my search to the S Hybrid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n After comparing and test-driving the Cayenne and Panamera, I found the Cayenne Hybrid a little sluggish. By contrast, the Panamera Hybrid felt more agile<\/strong>(probably because of its size and weight)<\/span>,<\/strong> so I chose the Panamera S Hybrid.<\/p>\n Fortunately, I knew people in the automotive industry, and after asking around, I found a pristine, dealer-sold, left-hand-drive car that was almost exactly what I wanted.<\/strong> That\u2019s the one I bought.<\/p>\n I made sure the car had Sport Chrono<\/strong>, plus features you can\u2019t add later if you change your mind: a sunroof<\/strong> and left-hand drive<\/strong>. I also wanted ventilated seats, but there are some good aftermarket options available now, so I was happy as long as the car had them.<\/p>\n I spent about six months looking. Then a longtime automotive-industry contact in Tokyo tipped me off about this car, and I bought it without even seeing it in person. (Laughs.)<\/p>\n The car has a sunroof, Sport Chrono, a Sport steering wheel, 20-inch RS Spyder wheels, heated seats, and colored wheel-center caps. I\u2019m not sure which of the following were standard: privacy glass, a factory Clarion navigation system, side steps, wood interior trim, an ashtray, and Panamera S-branded door-sill plates.<\/p>\n I wasn\u2019t placing a specific order\u2014I\u2019d simply asked to be contacted if a good car came along\u2014so the search took about six months.<\/p>\n What I like:<\/strong> It\u2019s also so quiet that I sometimes look down and realize I\u2019m already doing \u25cb\u25cb\u25cb km\/h. (Laughs.)<\/p>\n What I don\u2019t like:<\/strong> As a parallel hybrid, it delivers power without compromise and can shut off the engine even at highway speeds, which makes it very fuel-efficient. (16 km\/L on the Tokyo\u2013Osaka drive)<\/span> The transition between electric motor and engine is so smooth,<\/strong> you can hardly tell it\u2019s happening unless you\u2019re watching the tachometer.<\/p>\n The brakes are every bit a Porsche\u2019s\u2014<\/strong>they stop incredibly well. I\u2019d like to say there\u2019s nothing to complain about, but brake dust is the one drawback. The steering feels like that of a sports car, even though this is a sedan. It has a response I haven\u2019t experienced in Japanese or American cars, and I really like it.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve driven only about 2,000 km so far, but I\u2019m getting 14\u201316 km\/L on the highway. Even in the city, it hasn\u2019t dropped below 10 km\/L.<\/p>\n I believe the car has active air suspension, and the ride in PASM Comfort mode is excellent.<\/strong> I have heard that air suspension can fail, though, so that\u2019s a slight concern.<\/p>\n For a car billed as a sports sedan, I also think the ride height is a little too high\u2014it doesn\u2019t look great.<\/p>\n In Sport Plus mode, the suspension feels just right on twisty mountain roads, making for a really enjoyable drive.<\/p>\n Unlike a conventional gas-powered car, the hybrid prioritizes electric power when pulling away, so I feel a slight delay\u2014about half a second\u2014between pressing the accelerator and the car responding. Maybe I\u2019ll get used to it.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t feel the extra weight of the electric motor that you might expect from a hybrid.<\/strong> In fact, for a midsize sedan, its agility is more than enough.<\/p>\n When you consider that a Lexus GS F, for example, has a more luxury-oriented feel despite being called a sports sedan, you could say the Panamera occupies a new category that Japanese cars don\u2019t offer.<\/strong><\/p>\n My kids said, \u201cOh, it\u2019s a Porsche!\u201d But after I\u2019d owned four American cars in a row, they also told me it \u201cdoesn\u2019t suit me.\u201d (Laughs.) When my wife rode with me from Osaka to Tokyo, she did say that the passenger seat was comfortable.<\/strong><\/p>\n Everything. (Laughs.)<\/p>\n Hmm\u2026 I\u2019m interested in the Matrix LED headlights and PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes).<\/p>\n I\u2019m conscious of people looking at me\u2026 (Laughs.) Getting in and out feels a little cramped, but I suppose I\u2019ll get used to that, too.<\/p>\n A generation ago, Porsche models belonged in the supercar category. But after owning a Panamera S Hybrid, I\u2019ve come to feel that Porsche, in a good way, no longer fits the traditional definition of a supercar.<\/strong><\/p>\n A Porsche is a supercar you can drive around town every day.<\/strong> I think that\u2019s what sets it apart from supercars made by other manufacturers today.<\/p>\n That said, Porsche\u2019s passion and commitment are clear in the car\u2019s supercar-level performance. And the way the company brings its motorsport technology into production cars is impressive.<\/p>\n To me, Porsche is like a mistress? A girlfriend? (Laughs.)<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, my wife comes first. (Laughs.) But even when you have a wife, a Porsche is someone special you want to cherish. I\u2019m pretty sure our Panamera is a girl.<\/p>\n \u3018Editor\u2019s Note\u3019<\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/c3500-1.jpg\")
\n(My first C3500)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/c3500-2-800x600.jpg\")
\n(The C3500 after its color change)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/3500HD-800x450.jpg\")
\n(When I bought the 3500HD)<\/span><\/p>\nCayenne or Panamera?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2434-800x449.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2) Options and Specifications<\/h3>\n
Options and Features I Know It Has<\/h4>\n
3) The Wait Until Delivery<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2436-449x800.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4) Porsche Performance: What It\u2019s Like to Own a Panamera S Hybrid<\/h3>\n
\u2460 Engine<\/h4>\n
\nThe supercharger feels fantastic. I think it pairs beautifully with the V6. Unlike a turbo, it responds directly to the accelerator, which suits my driving style.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWith the hood closed, I don\u2019t notice it, but with the hood open, it seems to make more mechanical noise than American or Japanese cars.<\/strong> For a V engine, though, it revs smoothly.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2435-800x449.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2461 Transmission and Hybrid System<\/h4>\n
\u2462 Handling and Brakes<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_E0592-800x450.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2463 Fuel Economy<\/h4>\n
\u2464 Ride Comfort and Driving Feel<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_0638-1-800x450.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2465 What My Family Thinks<\/h4>\n
\u2466 My Favorite Thing<\/h4>\n
5) Must-Have Options for My Next Porsche<\/h3>\n
6) Things I\u2019m Still Getting Used To<\/h3>\n
7) Overall Verdict<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2433.jpg\")
<\/p>\n8) What Does Porsche Mean to You?<\/h3>\n
\nI used to wonder, \u201cWhat\u2019s a Porsche hybrid really like?\u201d But after reading the reviews in our Porsche Owners\u2019 File and the comments from readers, it\u2019s clear that these are exceptionally well-engineered, impressive cars. This is definitely one I\u2019d love to try! Thank you, Kazukun!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0\u300c\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u300d\u306e\u8aad\u8005\u69d8\u304b\u3089\u9802\u3044\u305f\u611b\u8eca\u306e\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb\u3059\u308b\u8a18\u4e8b\u306e\u7b2c14\u5f3e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u4eca\u56de\u306f2012\u5e74\u5f0f \u30d1\u30ca\u30e1\u30fc\u30e9 S \u30cf\u30a4\u30d6\u30ea\u30c3\u30c9\u306e\u30ec\u30d3\u30e5\u30fc\u3067\u3059\u3002","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":11016,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=11014","footnotes":""},"categories":[31,56],"tags":[220,238,242],"class_list":["post-37422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aboutpanamera","category-porscheownersfile","tag-220","tag-porsche-panamera","tag-air-suspension","en-US"],"yoast_head":"