Family Coupe D'etat

The new Porsche Panamera is proof that a family car need not mean sacrificing style and driving pleasure for domestic commitments.

- Lynn Tan

WHETHER “four-door coupe” is a misnomer has been the subject of much debate. To me, however, it is nothing more than just a term. What I am more interested in is establishing how familyfriendly a four-door coupe is, and I had the opportunity to find out when I test-drove the new Porsche Panamera.

While I’m still ambivalent over how the first-generation model looks, I find the new Panamera simply stunning.

I couldn’t take my eyes off the side profile, with its silhouette that now relates more closely to the 911. The previous Panamera’s slight “Quasimodo” hump at the rear has been FAMILY COUPE D’ETAT The new Porsche Panamera is proof that a family car need not mean sacrificing style and driving pleasure for domestic commitments. replaced by a lower and more sweeping “Porsche flyline” roof.

I also couldn’t resist the redesigned rear end, whose horizontality is emphasised with the tail-lights connected by a row of LEDs and the rear spoiler seamlessly integrated into the rear tailgate.