9/10/2009

Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen yesterday claimed that the era of "legacy luxury" –products that convey status without regard to cost or resources consumed – is now at the end of its life cycle, with Audi representing the new era of "progressive luxury." This may be hard to imagine, but apparently Porsche agrees, and is now purposefully advertising the mpg of its new Panamera, and we must say, we’re surprisingly impressed.

According to Porsche’s test results yet to be confirmed by the EPA, the base Panamera S and 4S will achieve 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, impressive for a V8 pushing out 400 horsepower. Let’s put this into perspective: 10 years ago a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu with a dismal 150 horsepower V6 only got 17 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.

Even more impressive is the top of the line Porsche Panamera Turbo with a 500 horsepower turbocharged V8, capable of returning 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. This means that for once, no Panamera model will be subject to the U.S. gas guzzler tax, according to Porsche North America spokesman Gary Fong.

MPG ratings were largely boosted by the automatic start/stop function that cuts the engine while idling at traffic lights (this can be turned off by the driver). If the EPA confirms these results, the Panamera will have a unique selling point over its rivals, the Mercedes-Benz CLS 550, CLS63 AMG, and Maserati Quattroporte. This time Porsche won’t be upping the ante with just horsepower, but with fuel efficiency as well, as the CLS 550 gets 14/21 mpg, the AMG gets 12/18 mpg, and the Quattroporte a thirsty 11/18 mpg.

This is a car magazine after all, so enough about mpg and let’s proceed to the Panamera performance review!

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