This Rare Manual V8 Porsche Panamera Is Oddly Tempting
Perhaps the biggest news from the reveal of the all-new, second-generation Porsche Panamera is that it looks way, way better than the first-generation version. With its ungainly proportions and bulbous rear, the old Panamera is a strong contender for the dubious honour of being the worst-looking Porsche ever built, its only real competition being the first-gen Cayenne. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want one.
Sitting in the luxurious cabin with a big V8 up front, you can forget all about the Pan-am’s misshapen arse as you waft to your destination, in the full knowledge that you can peel off early onto a twisty B-road and have a load of fun. If that sounds tempting, you might like the look of the used example we’re examining today, particularly for that curious little stick poking out of the dash.
Yep, we’re looking at a manual Panamera. They did indeed make such a thing, but because a six-speed stick shifter doesn’t really suit a big ol’ luxury saloon like the Panamera, Porsche sold next to none in the UK. In fact, the car you see here is one of only two manuals we’ve been able to find for sale in the whole country. So, it’s a bit of an oddity, and is therefore more interesting than the common auto, even if it doesn’t make as much sense.
As this is the S model, the manual ‘box in question is fitted to a 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V8 putting out 396bhp and 370lb ft of torque. 0-62mph happens in a reasonable but - compared to the new model - fairly leisurely 5.6 seconds, while at the top end it runs out of puff at 177mph.
It’s done 29,000 miles, and is up for £39,984.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
But it looks like a whale
Thing is, it’s either the new and better looking, or the cheap and rather odd.
I would so buy this
If i had the money
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE HATE THE LOOK OF THIS CAR?!? I DON’T GET IT!!!
well…one word: justlookatit
I’m with you man. It looks fine, not like the one after facelift. Now that one looks horrible from the back!
I think it’s not bad, it’s people compare it to the 911 and it’s not as good. Or its a common hate because it’s mainstream like nickleback
i think its like the e60 bmw….it was hated in the beginning but slowly people started getting used to the looks…then again…we have things like justin bieber to deal with so a panamera isnt that bad i guess
It are the proportions. The rear part is way too bulky compared to the 911ish front part. The bonnet is too short and the roof line is way out of proportion. The boot lid is too steep for a coupé, yet too flat for a shooting brake. The ugly tail lights don’t help either. Compare it to the Aston-Martin Rapide, you see that a sporty top-range executive saloon (I will not use the term “four-door coupé”) can indeed be well-proportioned.
The problem of Porsche was that they tried very hard to make a four-door 911, rather than a saloon on its own.
This came with a manual?!
I thought these Panameras were automatic only
If I import it to the U.S, would it be in bad taste to get the license plate to read BREXIT?
Please do it
Yes!
And I would complain about import costs making it not worth it but it has a manual!
Those are quite the unicorn.
And only for £40k?? So comfort, speed, big v8, manual… whats not to love??
Way back in 2011 I was driving 2 of those manual Panamera S and I can tell you, those cars are damn good drifters. Clutch kicking in 3rd and you have it sideways instantly. Unfortunately both broke the power steering pump. (Yes, this was a drivers training, not my own car :D)
a few questions. first, where do I sign my paperwork? second, how do I get it to the US?