The new 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo recently lapped the north loop of the Nurburgring in just 7 minutes 56 seconds, beating the CTS-V by three seconds and taking the top spot for a lap time in a production sedan.
German magazine Sportauto reports the news, which Porsche has yet to confirm. The hot lap was made by Walter Rohrl in a Panamera Turbo equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package.
The vehicle is powered by a 4.8-liter turboed V8 that lays down 500 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, giving it enough pick-up to get to the 60 mph mark in 4 seconds--not bad for a heavy sedan like the Panamera (it weighs 4,344 pounds). The Panamera Turbo starts at $132,600 (as opposed to the $58,575 base price of the CTS-V) and will officially debut in North America this August at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
altimadude00 says:
01:11 PM, 07/13/09
Wow...double and a half the price to gain a second or two. I'll stick with the Caddy.
firstwagon says:
01:20 PM, 07/13/09
At this level it takes huge increases in power (and money) for just a slight increase in time.
That said, I would buy the Caddy too.
fuhteng says:
01:20 PM, 07/13/09
I think the Caddy is better looking too. However, that is an impressive time from the Panamugly. I wonder how fast the normal V8 version will do the 'Ring?
rsholland says:
01:23 PM, 07/13/09
The Porsche Panamera Turbo has AWD standard, which probably helped with the quicker time.
dougtheeng says:
01:30 PM, 07/13/09
I'd take the CTS-V and use the remaining $74k to de-chrome it.
jederino says:
01:51 PM, 07/13/09
Good for the Porsche, but also good for the relative-bargain CTS-V. For those intersted in bragging rights, the Panamera shows-off how rich you are, and the CTS-V shows how relatively smart you are!
hondacura4 says:
02:05 PM, 07/13/09
Price aside, given the fact the Panamera weighs more (by 89lbs) and has significantly less power and torque vs the CTS-V, I think its quite an accomplishment.
Is the Panamera a CTS sized car or a 7 Series sized car?
huyracing says:
02:16 PM, 07/13/09
the boys of Top Gear seemed to think it was good.
moparbad says:
02:30 PM, 07/13/09
CTS-V wins every time it is compared to a $100K plus "competitor".
Looking back at the '80's I'm shocked that Cadillac even made past the '90's, let alone lapping the 'ring at a respectable pace.
That Cadillac discovered it's mojo with Art and Science design language is icing on the cake.
A bit sad to see Porsche floundering with it's VW ambitions.
mrbacon says:
03:49 PM, 07/13/09
Makes sense.
jederino says:
05:19 PM, 07/13/09
Porsche has a big challenge ahead. It's brand is this unique VW Bug look of the original 356, then 911, and now everything from Cayenne to Panamera. How long can this be milked? Cadillac had squandered its name, but is now investing in it and is finding a "voice". Porsche seems to be cashing its chips in, at risk of wearing out its brand.
altimadude00 says:
05:28 PM, 07/13/09
Jederino--To quote the aforementioned Top Gear episode..."You're not one of those guys who think Porsche should only make 911s are you?"
Sure, the 911 made the car company, but you ignore the Carrara GT and the Boxter. Both of those are great cars in their own right.
There was a time when Ford only made one car. They're doing alright after diversifying a bit.
moparbad says:
09:36 PM, 07/13/09
Put a brown paper bag over the Panamera and then maybe it is a great car.
iskch says:
08:03 AM, 07/14/09
I think Walter R. was driving. Just add AWD to CTS-V and I bet you will get similar times.
felonious says:
08:12 AM, 07/14/09
Ya know, I love the CTS-V as much as anyone (I'd buy it if I could, no hesitation). BUT... a Porsche should beat a Caddy around a racetrack. All is right in the world.
By the way, you can buy two CTS-Vs and still have spent $15,450 less than the guy in the Porsche. Craziness.
jederino says:
09:39 AM, 07/14/09
@altimadude, I like the Cayman quite a bit, and think it may be Porsche's best offering, so I am glad they moved beyond the 911. I still think an SUV dilutes Porsche, and a sedan that looks like a bloated 911 shows me they are struggling, design wise. Engineering and performance-wise, the quality is there and in no-way like Cadillac of yore.
chilisv says:
02:32 PM, 07/14/09
They make a car that doesn't look like a 911 and people bitch. They make a car that looks like a 911 and people bitch.