\n\u30fbFeatured car: 2012 Panamera S Hybrid
\n\u30fbPen name: Kazukun
\n\u30fbResidence: Hyogo Prefecture
\n\u30fbFamily: Wife (occasionally drives the Panamera, usually Wagon R), son (22 years old, owns a Cadillac Escalade), daughter (no license)
\n\u30fbPrevious cars:
\nToyota MA-70 Supra \u2192 Toyota Corolla Levin AE86 GTV \u2192 Cadillac STS \u2192 Chevrolet Suburban \u2192 Chevrolet C3500 dually \u2192 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD \u2192 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid
\n\u30fbMessage to readers:
\nWith the Taycan EV coming out, I think “Porsche hybrids are definitely worth considering<\/strong>.” It might still be an unpopular grade, but it\u2019s a very well-made car.<\/p>\n
1) Purchase Background<\/h3>\nFrom American Cars to German Cars<\/h4>\n
I originally drove American cars but had to give them up due to various reasons, and lived without a car for a while.<\/p>\n
While thinking, “What should I get next\u2026 After American cars, I want my favorite German car\u2026<\/strong>” I noticed that Benz, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen were everywhere near my home (laughs).<\/p>\n Seeing that, I truly realized how popular Mercedes and Audi are. But I had one particular “preference”: <\/p>\n “I want to avoid situations where the same model lines up with me at traffic lights.”<\/p>\n So, with a casual thought of “Maybe I should get a Porsche next??<\/strong>” I consciously observed my neighborhood for several months\u2026 and eventually decided to buy a Porsche.<\/p>\n Since it was “primarily for daily use<\/strong>,” I excluded 2-door models and also ruled out the Macan due to body size. Personally, I like large-displacement engines, so the final candidates were the Cayenne and Panamera, and I test drove both extensively.<\/p>\n Among them, I preferred the torque delivery and ride feel of the supercharged engine over the turbocharged one, so I narrowed it down to the “S Hybrid<\/strong>” grade.<\/p>\n Between the Cayenne and Panamera, after repeated test drives, the Cayenne Hybrid felt a bit sluggish. On the other hand, the Panamera Hybrid felt more nimble<\/strong>(probably due to body size and weight)<\/span>,<\/strong> so I decided on the Panamera S Hybrid.<\/p>\n Fortunately, I have many acquaintances in the car industry, and after reaching out, I found an “immaculate, closest to my ideal, left-hand drive dealer car<\/strong>,” which I purchased.<\/p>\n I searched for a car with “Sport Chrono<\/strong>,” and the must-haves that you can\u2019t add later like “sunroof<\/strong>” and “left-hand drive<\/strong>.” I wanted seat ventilation too, but since there are good aftermarket options now, it was just a “nice to have” if included.<\/p>\n After about six months of searching, I got info from a longtime acquaintance in Tokyo\u2019s car industry and bought the car without even seeing it (laughs).<\/p>\n Sunroof, Sport Chrono, sport steering wheel, RS Spyder 20-inch wheels, seat heaters, colored wheel caps. Not sure if standard: privacy glass, Clarion genuine navigation, side steps, wood interior panels, ashtray, and Panamera S-branded scuff plates.<\/p>\n Rather than ordering, it was more like “let me know if a good one comes up,” so it took about six months.<\/p>\n \u3010Satisfying points\u3011<\/strong> Also, it\u2019s so quiet that sometimes I realize I\u2019m going at \u25cb\u25cb\u25cb km\/h without noticing (laughs).<\/p>\n \u3010Unsatisfying points\u3011<\/strong> Because it\u2019s a parallel hybrid, power isn\u2019t compromised, and the engine cuts off during highway driving, so fuel economy is excellent. (16 km\/L between Tokyo and Osaka)<\/span> There\u2019s no odd shock when switching between motor and engine,<\/strong> and you barely notice it unless you watch the tachometer.<\/p>\n The brakes are classic Porsche\u2014very effective.<\/strong> I\u2019d say “there\u2019s nothing to complain about,” but the brake dust is a downside. The steering feel is that of a sports car sedan, with a sharpness you don\u2019t find in Japanese or American cars, which I quite like.<\/p>\n Having driven only about 2,000 km so far, I get 14\u201316 km\/L on highways and never below 10 km\/L in city driving.<\/p>\n I think it has “active air suspension,” and the PASM comfort mode ride quality is good.<\/strong> However, I\u2019ve heard of air suspension failures, so I\u2019m a bit concerned about that.<\/p>\n Also, for a sports sedan, the relatively high ride height looks a bit uncool\u2026<\/p>\n In Sport Plus mode, driving on mountain roads feels just right and fun.<\/p>\n Unlike a conventional engine car, the hybrid\u2019s initial acceleration prioritizes the motor, so there\u2019s a slight perceptible lag (about 0.5 seconds) when pressing the accelerator.<\/strong> I wonder if you get used to it.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t feel the “weight of the motor” unique to hybrids.<\/strong> On the contrary, for a midsize sedan, this performance is more than enough.<\/p>\n Considering that Lexus GS-F claims to be a sports sedan but has a luxury-tuned performance, I think “the Panamera represents a new category not found in Japanese cars.<\/strong>”<\/p>\n My kids said, “Oh, it\u2019s a Porsche!<\/strong>” but since I had four American cars before, they joked, “That doesn\u2019t suit you” (laughs). My wife said the “front passenger seat is comfortable<\/strong>” during trips between Osaka and Tokyo.<\/p>\n All of it (laughs).<\/p>\n Hmm\u2026 Matrix LED headlights and PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes) definitely catch my eye.<\/p>\n I\u2019m a bit self-conscious about the attention it draws (laughs). Also, getting in and out feels a little cramped\u2026 but I guess you get used to it.<\/p>\n Porsche used to be considered a supercar. But after owning the Panamera S Hybrid, I feel that Porsche is “in a good way” outside the modern definition of supercars.<\/strong><\/p>\n Porsche is a “supercar you can use for everyday driving.<\/strong>” That\u2019s what sets it apart from other modern supercars.<\/p>\n Still, Porsche\u2019s spirit and seriousness are evident in its supercar-level performance, and it\u2019s wonderful how these technologies feed back into production cars.<\/p>\n To me, Porsche is a lover? A girlfriend? (laughs)<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, I cherish my wife first (laughs), but even with her, Porsche is someone I want to treasure. I\u2019m sure my Panamera\u2019s gender is female.<\/p>\n \u3018Blog Manager\u2019s Thoughts\u3019<\/strong>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/c3500-1.jpg\")
\n(Early C3500)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/c3500-2-800x600.jpg\")
\n(C3500 with color change)<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/3500HD-800x450.jpg\")
\n(When purchasing 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 \/ Specifications<\/h3>\n
Options known so far<\/h4>\n
3) Delivery Process<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2436-449x800.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4) Porsche Performance Impressions After Ownership<\/h3>\n
\u2460 Engine<\/h4>\n
\nThe supercharger is very pleasant. It probably pairs well with the V6 engine. Unlike a turbo, the throttle response is direct and suits my personality.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nWhen the hood is closed, it\u2019s not noticeable, but when open, it seems to have more mechanical noise than American or Japanese cars?<\/strong> Despite being a V engine, the revving feels smooth.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_2435-800x449.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2461 Transmission<\/h4>\n
\u2462 Handling \/ 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 Feel<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/IMG_0638-1-800x450.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\u2465 Family Reactions<\/h4>\n
\u2466 Favorite Points<\/h4>\n
5) Must-Have Options for Future Porsche Purchases<\/h3>\n
6) Concerns<\/h3>\n
7) Overall Impression<\/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, “What about Porsche hybrids?<\/strong>” but reading the Porsche Owners File reviews and comments from everyone, it\u2019s clear they are wonderfully made cars. It\u2019s definitely a model I want to try! Thank you very much, 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":{"footnotes":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=11014"},"categories":[31,56],"tags":[220,238,242],"yoast_head":"