(2016) Porsche Panamera Edition – The Ultimate Guide
For the 2016 model year, Porsche has added a new version of the Panamera that it has dubbed the “Edition.” Despite its weird name, the Panamera Edition adds a lot of value at a price that is only slightly north of the base model’s MSRP. With tons of standard features and only a slight price hike, this is likely to be a hot seller in the next year. However, while this all looks great compared to the base Panamera, does this new Edition trim match up well against the likes of the BMW 740i or the Audi A8?
On the outside, the Panamera Edition doesn’t distinguish itself from the base model in many ways, but there are a few small differences. The standard features that distinguish this model are the high-gloss black trim pieces under the side glass and the standard 19-inch Turbo II wheels with colored Porsche crest center caps. The standard bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System also helps set it apart.
Optionally, buyers can equip the Edition with the Porsche Entry & Drive package, which also adds body-colored door handles. Other than those few extra goodies, the Panamera Edition looks identical to every other Porsche sedan on the road in 2015. I actually like the subtle differences; it’s like an Easter egg hunt trying to catch the small changes.
The interior of the Panamera distinguishes itself from the rest of the lineup a little more than the exterior, but the changes are still subtle. The clearest difference is the standard two-tone, black-and-Luxor Beige color scheme with Porsche crest embossed on the headrests. Other distinguishing features include the Sport Design steering wheel, the “Edition” doorsill plates, and exclusive floor mats.
There are a few tech gadgets that separate the Panamera Edition from the pack, and these include standard Porsche Communication Management with a 7-inch touchscreen and navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system with 585 watts. A backup camera, and 14-way power seats with heat and memory round out the extra standard features.
In the go-go department, things are pretty much standard for the Panamera Edition. It comes equipped with the Panamera’s standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine mates to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Power heads to the rear wheels only on the base mode, while the Panamera 4 Edition gets the added benefit of all-wheel drive. In its base setup, the Panamera edition hits 60 mph in six seconds (5.7 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package). With all-wheel drive, the Edition can hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds (5.5 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package). Top speed checks in at 160.9 mph for the standard model and 159.7 mph for the all-wheel-drive version.
Where things get a little better for the Edition model is in the suspension system. Here Porsche added in its Active Suspension Management system that adjusts the suspension to suit the conditions. Additionally, the Edition received Power Steering Plus, which is Porsche-speak for speed-sensitive power steering.
