IT'S mind boggling to think how a modern car can achieve a multiplicity of goals or purposes.
The Tesla Model X's century sprint of 2.9 seconds, for example, is in supercar territory and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T can cruise at 240kph while sitting four adults comfortably.
A Porsche used to serve as a sports car if not a race car. But after the unbelievably successful Cayenne, buyers started to accept the fact that a Porsche can also be a family car.
Enter the Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, the company's iteration of a sports wagon.
It is derived from the outgoing Porsche Panamera, featuring a redesigned D-pillar, giving the car a distinctive 'shooting brake' look.
Here in Malaysian shore, the Panamera Sport Turismo was introduced in three variants; the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo and the range-topping Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo.
The Panamera 4 Sport Turismo might be the base variant, but this very unit is fully-loaded with plush and go-fast stuffs that include LED-Matrix headlights, ParkAssist with Surround View-Upgrade, soft-close doors, four-zone automatic climate control, carbon interior package, Sport Chrono Package and Sports Exhaust Systems.
But is this wagon a true Porsche?
I can simply say that it is! Even the Macan is advised to be approached as a raised 911 instead of a shrunken Cayenne, while the Cayenne outrivalled other sport utility vehicles with physics-defying capabilities.
Since the Panamera Sport Turismo was based off the outgoing Panamera, which is now more pleasant to most people's eyes, the car appears sharper and more dynamic than ever.
Apart from the familiar four-point LED daytime-running lights and muscular curves, the tail-lights that's borrowed from the 911 emphasises its Porsche-ism. Is that even a word?
The cabin of the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo combines the best of modern and classic Porsche traits.
It gets the latest-generation Porsche Communication Management infotainment system with a high-definition 12-inch touchscreen while retaining the classic driver-oriented Porsche cockpit construction.
The controls are more digitised now with minimal buttons and toggles.
Even the aircond vents are controlled via the touchscreen — a tad too overkill to me. No complaint, but not a fan. A cool feature to impress your buddies, but not sure how liveable it would be in the five years to come.
However, the electronic gear knob is brilliant, just like what you would have expected in a car in this year-model and price bracket.
THE DRIVE
I still remember driving the Porsche Panamera 4S where I found the car to be too stiff and flat at corners, even when I was not in the most aggressive settings.
It may be just me, but I was surprised to find that the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) in the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo makes the ride more composed and less punishing than the Panamera in the same mode.
There's noticeable but controlled body roll mid-corner, but the Sport Turismo still gives a high degree of road-holding capability.
It is most likely that you would reach your own limit before the car's in public roads, unless you take it to the circuit.
But to actually experience the car, you don't need to go beyond national speed limit.
Just take it to a twisty stretch outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, and the active all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) and the rear-axle steering deliver a thrilling drive with its agility while keeping you in check.
The 3.0-litre V6 is eager to rev high near the redline and the PDK eight-speeder rapidly upshifts to the next higher gear.
Speaking of the PDK gearbox, go in any drive mode and you will still discover why it is said to be one of the best in the industry.
Yes, it is that brilliant.
Brake feel is one more strong trait of this car's driving aspect.
It is simply firm, rich in feel and wonderfully consistent after repetitive hard braking.
I also managed to sit at the rear seats while being driven at traffic pace and I must say that the individual seats are greatly supportive and comfortable.
This is crucial as this wagon Porsche is designed to carry four occupants while covering big miles (and travelling at three-digit speeds on the Autobahn).
The legroom is also massive, although the headroom is not too generous.
In conclusion, the Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is truly a family wagon that has all the Porsche ethos you might ever need.
If you think that owning a Mercedes S-Class and a Toyota GT-86 to be not so efficient, then you might want to consider the Panamera Sport Turismo as a one-for-all machine.
Besides being capable of achieving two very different driving objectives, it also has the look that nothing quite out there has at the moment.
The Porsche Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is retailed from RM990,000 before options, while this gorgeous Carmine Red car costs RM1,229,346.94.
Prices include a four-year warranty and a four-year free service and maintenance package.