Hadag spent a day in the Porsche Panamera Manufacturer Edition, a luxury saloon that proved greatness really is in the details.
They say you can’t have it all. Clearly, “they” haven’t driven the 2025 Porsche Panamera Manufacturer Edition. When we picked up the keys to this hand-finished, hyper-personalised machine in Dolomite silver, we had expected refinement. What we didn’t expect was for it to charm us like a charismatic villain in a Bond film. From the moment we stood in its presence, we knew this wasn’t going to be just a drive, it was going to be a mind-altering experience.
STYLED TO STAND OUT
To call the Panamera handsome would be an understatement. In this Manufacturer Exclusive Edition, it’s more like haute couture on wheels. The SportDesign Package painted in stealthy black high-gloss reshapes the fascia and adds a sharper, more aggressive attitude.
The Exclusive Design taillights and tinted HD Matrix LED headlights keep things distinctively Porsche but with an edge that’s all about craftsmanship. From the model designation in black to the side window trims and door handle inlays painted in body colour, the detailing is meticulous and undeniably bespoke.
The 21-inch Panamera Exclusive Design wheels, painted in black with highly polished surfaces, are both aggressive and elegant, like a tailored suit with racing gloves. Paired with Exclusive Design taillights and silver sports exhaust tailpipes, this car looks ready to launch even while parked at valet.
LUXURY UP CLOSE
Stepping inside, we were immediately greeted by a sensory hug of Barrique Club leather – soft, deep and unlike anything in the standard lineup. This isn’t just leather, it’s craftsmanship in tactile form.
We agreed the interior to be an effortless blend of German precision and Gulf-style luxury – rich, detailed and built to impress. Thanks to the carbon matt interior package, every surface we touched, from the leather wrapped GT sports steering wheel, to the illuminated door sill guards, felt deliberate and indulgent. Even the air vent surrounds have been thoughtfully upgraded.
The overall cabin layout is driver-focussed, but not lacking character. To us, it felt more like a first-class cockpit, suited for everything from fast-track straights to Downtown Manama traffic.
We loved the Porsche crest on the headrests, a small but powerful reminder of the marque’s DNA, sitting right behind our perfectly positioned heads. The adaptive sports front seats are 18-way adjustable and offer the kind of support that says, “Take the long way home”.
From the moment we stood in its presence, we knew this wasn’t going to be just a drive, it was going to be a mind-altering experience.
EFFORTLESS INNOVATION
Whilst admiring the interior artistry, we noticed the Exclusive Edition Model quietly flexing its tech muscles. The passenger display was a particular talking point, giving our designated co-pilot full command of media, navigation, and much more.
The true showstopper? the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System that wrapped us in audio so immersive, it was like having our own private symphony on four wheels. It felt like we were listening to our favourite drive anthems for the first time.
Of course, Porsche has equipped as standard on all models, wireless smartphone integration, seamless connectivity, a head-up display and a central display that feels more like a top-of-the-range tablet than a dashboard.
PURE PORSCHE POWER
Now, let’s get down to business (Cue Tiësto). Porsche has added a layer of focussed urgency to the Exclusive Edition’s drive, by including the Sports Chrome Package.
It has paired this with Porsche Active Suspension Management and adaptive air suspension and, let us tell you, the power and precision are almost unbelievable!
We found the eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) gearbox to be as sharp as ever, responding with such finesse that we began to think it was reading our minds. Add the sports exhaust tailpipes into the equation and it sounds as fast as it feels, without ever being brash.
Despite revelling in the Panamera’s grand touring comfort, make no mistake, we found nothing soft about this car’s performance. It cornered like it’s on rails and hit highway speeds with astonishing grace. Yet somehow, it never seemed to take any strain whatsoever. A truly otherworldly driving experience.
PEACE OF MIND
Performance may be Porsche’s love language, but it also speaks fluent safety. Lane Change Assist, Surround View Active Parking Support and soft-close doors all come as standard, making city driving feel less like a chore and more like a mini privilege.
More of a convenience than a safety feature is the 90-litre fuel tank that gives you range for days, even if those days include high-speed runs through open desert highways.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now, don’t get us wrong, the standard 2025 Porsche Panamera is already a phenomenal car. With its sleek design, cutting-edge tech and signature Porsche performance, it easily holds its own in the upper echelons of the luxury saloon league. However, once you’ve experienced the Manufacturer Exclusive Edition, there’s simply no going back. It takes everything that’s great about the Panamera and elevates it into something far more personal, more indulgent and frankly, more irresistible.
Please visit www.porsche.com for more information.
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