Porsche has recently fielded their first 4-door sedan, the Panamera. The new Porsche Panamera is sort of a low-flying variant of the Porsche SUV, the Cayenne. It uses similar nomenclature, and powertrains as the SUV. The Panamera has widely been panned for its visual appeal (or lack thereof), but I am a function over form person. I am also a Porsche fan from way back, so let’s see how the new German compares with Cadillac’s CTS-V Supercar Sedan.
Cadillac CTS-V's at Montecello Motor Club
The Porsche Panamera comes in S, 4S, and Turbo Variants. The Panamera S, which starts at $90.7K, is the Panamera model that is likely to be cross-shopped with the $60.7K Cadillac CTS-V.
Porsche Panamera S
Here are the stats according to Motor Trend for the Porsche Panamera S:
| 2010 Porsche Panamera S | |
| Base price range | $90,775 |
| Price as tested | $104,805 |
| Vehicle layout | Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 4-door hatchback |
| Engine | 4.8L/400-hp/369-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| Transmission | 7-speed twin-clutch auto |
| Curb weight (dist f/r) | 4108 lb (53/49) |
| Wheelbase | 115.0 in |
| Length x width x height | 195.6 x 76.0 x 55.8 in |
| 0-60 mph | 5.1 sec |
| Quarter mile | 13.5 sec @ 105.8 mph |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 108 ft |
| Lateral acceleration | 0.95 g (avg) |
| MT figure eight | 25.7 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) |
| EPA city/hwy fuel econ | 16/24 mpg |
| MT observed fuel econ | 16.8 mpg |
| CO2 emissions | 1.03 lb/mile |
Read more: Motor Trend
Motor Trend Data: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
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Read more: Motor Trend Test
Conclusions?
- The more expensive, Porsche Panamera Turbo, at 500 hp, comes closer to CTS-V performance than the Panamera S model, but is unlikely to be directly shopped with a CTS-V since it costs roughly twice as much as the Cadillac.
- The CTS-V has more power, at 556 hp/551 lb-ft vs 400-hp/369 lb-ft for the Porsche Panamera S, but weighs slighly more at 4,300 lbs vs 4,137 lbs.
- The CTS-V acceleration numbers are notably stronger, with an advantage of 0.8 sec 0-60, at 4.3 sec for the Cadillac vs 5.1 sec for the Porsche. At the quartermile the difference is still 0.9 sec, placing these two cars in different classes for acceleration. Cadillac CTS-V: 12.6 @ 114.6 mph Porsche Panamera S: 13.5 sec @ 105.8 mph
- Cornering: The Porsche has the advantage here, pulling 0.94 g’s on the skidpad vs 0.93 g’s for the Cadillac. However, the CTS-V powers ahead in the Figure-8: 25.1 sec @ 0.75 g (avg) for the Cadillac vs 25.7 sec @ 0.72 g (avg) for the Porsche.
- The Porsche has the advantage in fuel economy, at 16/24 mpg city/highway vs a thirsty 14/19 mpg city/highway for the Cadillac.
- The CTS-V is almost $30K less expensive than the Porsche, with the Cadillac CTS-V at $60.7K, and the Porsche Panamera S at $90.7K (starting prices).