• MotorTrend Head to Head pits the Panamera GTS against the BMW F10 M5 - Mismatch?

                    
      		   
      Published on 09-14-2012 11:03 PM
      4 Comments Comments
      The new F10 M5 is a very powerful vehicle and really simply in another performance league compared to the awesome yet comparatively under-powered Panamera GTS. Sure, the Panamera GTS is closer in price to the F10 M5 but really Porsche's best, the Turbo S, should be used here and the F10 M5 should remain proud it can compete against the best Porsche has to offer even at a much, much cheaper price point.



      Nobody even needs to watch the comparison to realize the F10 M5 will smash the GTS in acceleration once the all wheel drive advantage is mitigated after the launch. On the top end, from a roll, whatever, the M5 is going to smack the Panamera GTS around. The video's drag race shows this clearly as the Panamera gets a jump only for the M5 to quickly reel it in an pull away easily. The 1/4 mile times had to be done in extreme heat as the M5 only hits 12.4@114 compared to the GTS 12.7@107.

      The Panamera GTS price comes out to $146,250. The M5 is $104,295. At the price point of the GTS a Panamera Turbo really should just be used for this comparison. The GTS has a dual clutch transmission and V8 just like the M5 but the problem is that it is missing the two turbos.

      Ok, well, the cars are about more than power. What about the engine sound? Well, they prefer the Panamera GTS which is no surprise. What about the handling? The GTS is more sure footed and offers more feedback.

      The best thing about the comparison is the comment that the M5 has become a hammer instead of a chisel. When its weight is about the same as all wheel drive competitors and it needs to pipe in fake engine noise to keep the owner engrossed in the driving experience, something is wrong. The M5 is now more about brute force rather than finesse.

      This had the potential to be a great comparison but without the Panamera Turbo, it misses the mark.

      This article was originally published in forum thread: MotorTrend Head to Head pits the Panamera GTS against the BMW F10 M5 - Mismatch? started by Sticky View original post
      Comments 4 Comments
      1. LZH's Avatar
        LZH - 09-14-2012, 11:49 PM
        This was a great video and they both seem very fun to drive albeit heavy 4 door sedans. I've never been able to get my head around the Panamera design and styling. I drove a Turbo S and was very impressed especially with the interior fit and finish. But for that kind of money it better be perfect. And the new F10 just looks very bland in my opinion. Fantastic motor but what the hell is with all the sound dampening from the Ghost and then they pipe in pre-recorded engine noise ??????
        DUDE.

        That has to the LAMEST engineering gizmo crap I have ever seen (or heard). For that reason alone I will never buy a BMW with 4 wheels unless its an M1 or a Z8.
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-14-2012, 11:53 PM
        The fake engine noise is definitely pretty damn lame.
      1. Velocity26's Avatar
        Velocity26 - 09-15-2012, 12:14 AM
        Think of the advantages, don't like the sound? ... instead of having to change the exhaust, flash the computer with the sound of a F1 car. Problem solved!
      1. Sticky's Avatar
        Sticky - 09-15-2012, 12:22 AM
        Click here to enlarge Originally Posted by Velocity26 Click here to enlarge
        Think of the advantages, don't like the sound? ... instead of having to change the exhaust, flash the computer with the sound of a F1 car. Problem solved!
        I'd make mine sound like a Vagina because that is exactly who this system is for.