Racerx I can’t agree with you. While YOU may not want a sedan with good amounts of speed (though an S600 isn’t a slouch) there very obviously IS a market for that type of family car and has been for quite some time (the MB SEL 6.3 & 6.9 in the ‘70’s, the Lotus Omega, M5’s, the Porsche built 500E, all AMG sedans, Audi S6’s, S8’s & RS6’s, CTS-V’s, XJR’s and now the Panamera and Rapide…). Performance is a legitimate variable when looking at all of these cars. And not just straight line performance! While they are not (and don’t have to be) track ready monsters, they by their very nature, have to be more than competent on twisty roads. Driving a 4 door car doesn’t preclude me from driving in a spirited manner…
I also don’t agree with the fact that at the price of a Panamera, money doesn’t matter anymore. In my opinion most people (even the ones that buy a fully loaded Panamera Turbo) aren’t comparing it to a Rapide but more likely to a MB CLS first, to an A/S8, BMW 7 series or S Class or some type second, and only then (and only a few) to a Bentley Flying Spur, RR Ghost or Aston Rapide third.
Having sat in the back seat of both the Panamera and the Rapide, let me assure you, the Panamera is closer to all of those other cars than it is to the Rapide in back seat size. The Rapide is a coupe where you don’t have to fold the front seats forward to get into the back. That’s it. Four adults can get into that car to go to dinner. As long as it’s close.
The Panamera competes with the Mercedes CLS much more than it does with the Aston. CLS 350 – 550 – 63 to a V6 – V8 – Turbo Panamera. With an equivalent to a 550 4-Matic thrown in as well…
--
Past-President, Porsche Club of America - Upper Canada Region