Four doors are a flash in the Pan

It handles with the same agility and composure as a 911 on country roads. And, on the motorway, it becomes a brilliant high-speed cruiser.

Only when you rev the 4.5-litre engine do you hear the pure, deep burble of the V8. The �72,266 entry-level Panamera S was fast enough, its 400bhp delivering 62mph in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 175mph. Fuel economy is about 23mpg - helped by Porsche's new stop/start system that automatically switches the engine off in traffic jams.

For serious performance, buy the �95,298 turbo. It slashes the 0-62mph to 4.2 seconds, with a 188mph maximum.

The cabin is Porsche's best and this car is a true four-seater. The finish of the wood, carbon fibre and plastics are top-drawer.

Insane inside ... the wood, carbon fibre and plastic fittings are excellent

I also loved the excellent cruise control and sat nav function that is displayed on the main screen and in a small section on the dials. It lacks nothing in luxury. It has a 445-litre boot, and can take four 6ft passengers in comfort. There is also the option of reclining rear seats to drive home the point. And it's crammed with new technology - from air suspension, which drops an inch in Sport mode and is even firmer in Sport Plus, - to an intricate rear wing spoiler.

But there's also a button to increase the exhaust growl!

In truth this is the 911 that has grown up with its owner, who now has a wife and two kids and still wants to keep the famous Porsche badge.

This is a brilliant all-round car. But not as good-looking as its new Aston Martin Rapide rival revealed at the Frankfurt show last week.

It's close... but no cigar.