Porsche Panamera Turbo S

As fast as a Mercedes SLS AMG, but with space for four adults, the Panamera Turbo S is an astonishing machine. The 0-62mph sprint is covered in 3.8 seconds, but passengers are cocooned in one of the finest, most comfortable cabins in the world. With four-wheel drive and a full suite of electronic aids, it can deploy its pace wherever and whenever you want.

Under the bonnet is the same 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8 as the standard Panamera Turbo, but lighter titanium blades in the turbos have liberated an extra 49bhp and 50Nm of torque.

Acceleration is savage. The tiniest hint of lag is detectable, but once the turbos spool up it surges forward like a supercar, not a two-tonne saloon.

Fortunately, all that power is easy to control thanks to the unshakeable four-wheel-drive grip and all the electronic trickery that Porsche currently offers as standard. Dynamic Chassis Control keeps the car flatter in corners, Torque Vectoring Plus works with the differential to split power between the rear wheels and the Sport Chrono Package offers three settings for tuning the suspension and engine response.

Even in its firmest setting, the suspension is never uncomfortable, while the twin-clutch gearbox is lightning fast and the steering full of feel. The carbon-ceramic brakes deliver huge stopping power, but can be snatchy at the top of the pedal’s travel. Up the pace, and the finely balanced handling and fast responses make the Panamera feel smaller than it actually is. It’s only when you leave B-roads and tackle a town centre that you realise you’re driving something so large.

There’s a problem with the Turbo S, though. Its astronomical price tag is £45,000 more than the manual Panamera S, and twice as expensive as the diesel variant. The former is the sweetest driving model in the range, while the latter will take you 750 miles on a single tank.

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