Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo review - Interior, design and technology
The Sport Turismo’s cockpit features cutting-edge yet usable technology wrapped up with sumptuous finishes
While the first-generation Panamera had a decent cabin, the second-generation model on which the Sport Turismo is based features an even better interior design, blending sporting pretensions with generous accommodation and a host of technology.
All models come with comfortable electric seats and every driver, no matter their size or shape, should be able to find their optimal driving position. Porsche has also taken criticisms of the original Panamera on board, and as a result there are significantly fewer buttons clustered around the centre console to contend with. So finding the function you are looking for is far less confusing.
The buttons that do remain are touch sensitive and covered by a sophisticated glass panel which provides a top-quality feel. And that’s a theme repeated throughout the cockpit – high-grade materials are used and the attention to detail is second to none. There’s a nice approach to the traditional Porsche instrumentation, with the centrally positioned analogue rev counter now flanked by a pair of seven-inch digital screens whose content is customisable by the driver.
The one on the right can feature information such as the sat-nav map, fuel gauge, on-board computer, range, economy and the like. The one to the left encompasses the speedometer, speed limit and traffic sign recognition, as well as cruise control information. The overriding impression is of a very slick driving environment with everything you need falling easily to hand.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
Along with the Sport Turismo’s pair of digital screens flanking the rev counter, you get a centrally mounted 12.3-inch touchscreen that operates a plethora of functions and acts as the hub for the Porsche Communication Management. As you’d expect there’s an intuitive factory navigation system that gives seamless route guidance, although these days owners will be more likely to use the standard-fit Apple CarPlay on a regular basis.
The system in the Panamera Sport Turismo is the most sophisticated multimedia set-up ever fitted to a Porsche, and it shows – you can connect to apps, use Google Earth and hook up to the built-in WiFi hotspot for internet access. It works beautifully and is very impressive.
