Administrator
09-04-2009, 11:01 AM
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Toodling along in fifth gear I see my chance as I approach one of the few passing zones on this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Monterey, California. Preferring to use the center console mounted shifter rather than the somewhat awkward steering wheel buttons, I pull the stick twice and Porsche's amazing dual-clutch PDK transmission obeys.
The power comes on smooth and solid as the naturally aspirated V8 blasts me forward. Power delivery is equally exhilarating through fourth and just as fifth seems like a possibility I've run out of straight road and I'm back into the twisties, the pickup truck and its horse trailer as distant in my memory as they are in my rear view mirror.
Thankfully it's early on a Saturday morning and the normally busy PCH is mostly abandoned with large stretches of open road ready to be consumed.
Hard on the brakes the Porsche slows without any dive. There's no understeer as I turn in and begin to roll on the throttle. There's no oversteer either, but that's more due to my careful application of the gas pedal. My brain, keenly aware of the steep cliffs I'm driving alongside, manages to keep some control over my often-overzealous right foot.
Were I 20 miles in the opposite direction, at Laguna Seca Raceway, I'm certain my self-preservation-minded brain would have lost the battle.
The newly risen sun; the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing on the rocks; the sandy beaches in the distance and the open road in front of me; this is driving nirvana. And until now, I didn't know it was available in a four-door version.
That's right, there's a second row to this Porsche – and a real one at that. There's even a trunk and… wait for it… the engine is up front.
"Are you sure this is a Porsche?" you are no doubt asking yourself.
Is it ever.
More: 2010 Porsche Panamera S: First Drive (http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/porsche/2010-porsche-panamera-s-first-drive-1173.html) on AutoGuide.com
Toodling along in fifth gear I see my chance as I approach one of the few passing zones on this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Monterey, California. Preferring to use the center console mounted shifter rather than the somewhat awkward steering wheel buttons, I pull the stick twice and Porsche's amazing dual-clutch PDK transmission obeys.
The power comes on smooth and solid as the naturally aspirated V8 blasts me forward. Power delivery is equally exhilarating through fourth and just as fifth seems like a possibility I've run out of straight road and I'm back into the twisties, the pickup truck and its horse trailer as distant in my memory as they are in my rear view mirror.
Thankfully it's early on a Saturday morning and the normally busy PCH is mostly abandoned with large stretches of open road ready to be consumed.
Hard on the brakes the Porsche slows without any dive. There's no understeer as I turn in and begin to roll on the throttle. There's no oversteer either, but that's more due to my careful application of the gas pedal. My brain, keenly aware of the steep cliffs I'm driving alongside, manages to keep some control over my often-overzealous right foot.
Were I 20 miles in the opposite direction, at Laguna Seca Raceway, I'm certain my self-preservation-minded brain would have lost the battle.
The newly risen sun; the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing on the rocks; the sandy beaches in the distance and the open road in front of me; this is driving nirvana. And until now, I didn't know it was available in a four-door version.
That's right, there's a second row to this Porsche – and a real one at that. There's even a trunk and… wait for it… the engine is up front.
"Are you sure this is a Porsche?" you are no doubt asking yourself.
Is it ever.
More: 2010 Porsche Panamera S: First Drive (http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/porsche/2010-porsche-panamera-s-first-drive-1173.html) on AutoGuide.com