As an appetizer, Porsche had coned a handling course on the Buochs airport strip in central Switzerland. In the Sport Plus mode, the Panamera S obliges with ease, clipping apexes with poise and precision and reacting with finesse to throttle modulation. The PSM stability control leaves some play room until it reigns things in by braking wheels independently to tame understeer, or dial torque down in case of oversteer. An innocent dab on the PSM button shuts the nanny off, 90 degrees left hander in second gear, I floor the throttle and the big saloon rewards me with a beautiful slide, easily controllable with half a turn of opposite lock. Very encouraging !

Switching to the 4S and its silver air intakes, it’s a good surprise that the balance has not been altered by the 90 kg (198 lbs) of added weight coming with the all wheel drive transmission. On the same course, it’s a real pleasure to go brush the cones with the front wheels. At the end of strip, naughty play with the PSM and throttle sends the Panamera sideways again, drawing a bit too much of attention from our chaperon. If the steering is not the ultimate in feel, the package is very well sorted, playful and even saucy if that’s what you ask for. In this particular environment, the car impresses.