Question....I dropped off my '13 GTS for oil change this morning, and received a ’14base Panamera as a loaner, riding on the OEM turbo '20s. While clearly not as powerful as the GTS, the handling onthat car was simply amazing. I want to say it was on par with, if notbetter than my ’13 GTS.

Curious, did they change the underlying platformof these cars when they made the body style upgrades? If so, I am 1000%going to get the new GTS when my lease is up!!. Really was a greatdriving car, as the “steering wheel” feel was simply awesome, and again, feltmore linear than in the GTS. Perhaps this car had Servo on it, and thatalso contributed to the feel, as I did not get Servtronic in my '13 GTS


Justcurious so that I am informed as to what changes were made. Thanks in advance

 

Hey Cole,

I have a sheet somewhere that states all the 2014 changes and they are mostly cosmetic with a few option changes. However with that being said, the master mechanic at Porsche here in S. Cal told me the new 2014 has a different PDK software, and suspension calibrations...

I used to own one of the early 2010 Panamera Turbos and this has a much better trans and steering feel then my old car. I wouldn't be surprised if Porsche changed some things up and didn't let the consumer know about it....

 

Thanks man...it certainly "felt" like it handled better

 

V6 is lighter. Maybe added to the improved handling.

 

It's due to the lighter engine, about 100lbs less in the front. Giving it a better weight distribution.

 

well, whatever the cause., I was seriously impressed....for the "base" car, it was awesome to drive. That said, I'll certainly keep my GTS!!

 

I may be going to check out a 2014 GTS this weekend. Basalt black. Lord help me.

 

Do it...its an awesome car! I am def getting another one when this lease is up

 

Cole,

Ligher car with V6 combined with 2wd for better steering feel. Makes for a very nice driving car!

That is why I was disappointed when they came out with GTS that it was not 2wd - I think it would be an even sweeter set up.

 

The V6 is definitely lighter on the front end and as a result may feel more nimble, albeit at the expense of power.

Cole, the numbers that back up your driving impression are at Edmunds. If we compare their track test of the 2011 Panamera V6 and the 2013 Panamera GTS, specifically looking at the slalom numbers under the "Handling" section, we see:

V6: Slalom (mph): 69.7 (Stability on: 68.5)
GTS: Slalom (mph): 68.6 (67.8 w/TC on)

So the 2011 V6 is actually faster through the slalom than the GTS! This is of course from a combination of the lighter engine and the lighter vehicle weight (4025 lbs vs 4362 lbs), a difference of nearly 350 lbs.

Here are the links to the full articles:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/t...namera-v6.html
http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/t...rack-test.html

Interestingly, the Tesla Model S that was compared to the GTS does almost as well as the GTS and even bests it braking.

As for the improvements in PDK, there is no doubt that Porsche has been making small but noticeable changes to the PDK every year. My 2011 felt a tad smoother than a 2010 I had driven. And since then, the 2012 and 2013 loaners have felt progressively smoother particularly accelerating from a stop. They now feel almost torque-converter smooth, but with a firmer power delivery.

 

Thanks for the additional reply....I LOVE my '13 GTS, but I am most definitely going to cue up to get a '15 one when my lease is up. If they really tweaked the steering ratios as well as the PDK programming, the new model GTS has got to be just awesome.

 

I have tried to buy 2 different 14' GTS's this week. It is winter time, and end of the month I figured NOW is a great time. Dealers are holding out on these new GTS cars. I have been offered 2% off, not good. I think the low supply is certainly the reason. I can't pay 2% off and lose 20% in a years time…. I will keep searching and waiting for the right deal to come about, its all fun anyhow in a sick kinda way

I would consider a 2013 preowned but really like the lights on the 14!

If anyone has had success getting deeper discounts at a more aggressive dealer PM me!

Ryan

 

OK...dropped off the Loaner v6 this morning, and happily got back into my GTS. While the V6 certainly was a nice car, and handled just great, Gosh Darn is the GTS just a completely different animal. The second that key fired up, from the exhaust bark, to the "rumble" of the engine, to the amazing seats, etc etc. I know the GTS is significantly more expensive, but sheesh, to me it is worth every single penny. It is the epitome of what the Panamera experience should be. just bonkers