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Tesla S P85+ vs Porsche Panamera GTS

I am soliciting input and opinion out there on which car gives a more satisfying ride.
Price wise, they are comparable. I am coming from just a pure performance perspective; nothing on the EV vs ICE technology, fuel cost savings and so forth; just pure unadulterated performance.

I test drove the P85 a few weeks ago and while i think its straight-line performance is nothing short of awesome, i feel that it is somewhat lacking when it comes to steering feel/handling around corners. Don't get me wrong; it is no slouch by any stretch of the imagination but when we are talking about cars with sticker price above $100k, we have to compare it against the creme de la creme so to speak. Perhaps it is the curb weight that is at play but who knows. Here is where I really hope the performance plus package (P85+) comes into the equation and save the day given that Elon claims "super car" territory handling. I called Tesla and unfortunately they don't have a test vehicle yet that is equipped with the performance plus package. So there is no way to confirm this one way or the other.

Incidentally, I am also very interested in the Panamera GTS. I know the looks isn't for everyone but to me it looks appealing. As it turns out, there is already a review out there by Edmunds comparing these cars.

The test numbers kind of confirm my suspicion. From the specs listed, this is not even a regular P85. It looks like a P85+ indeed, perhaps Elon's own personal souped-up version of the P85. Straight line kudos go to Tesla (albeit barely) but skidpad/slalom has the GTS well in the clear. If these are the numbers from the P85+, they are somewhat dissapointing given Elon's claim. I would conclude from just that review alone, the GTS "outperforms" the "P85+". I am putting quotes around the P85 because i suspect it is the P85+ based on the specs listed but who knows if it is going to be the actual final version of the production cars equipped with the performance plus package($10k option).

I have scheduled a test drive session for the Panamera GTS. Would really love to get behind the wheel of a GTS and see what it can really do. There are other rave reviews out there on the GTS that backs up the "unreal" handling comment from the Edmunds review. Hopefully, I can also test drive a production P85+ soon which should provide me with sufficient data to make an informed decision on which machine is ultimately for me.

Please chime in with your thoughts.

Was the p85+ ride harsher?

Anyone know if we can upgrade a p85 to p85+?

Congratulations! I think everyone here expected it, but you have to experience it for yourself. Now the worst part is waiting for delivery!

Were you able to drive a P85 and P85+ back to back? I think it would be hard to be certain if you drive them days apart. Very reassuring first report though.... thank you.

THANK YOU!! Can't wait! Still have a little hope though that the P+ will be a tiny bit faster than P to 60 :)

I think that the P+ is probably .1 sec quicker to 60. The original Motor Trend test was on Elons car which had a forerunner to the P+ package and it did 60 in 3.9 and subsequent Model S was off the production line and it did 60 in 4.0. It seems that Tesla has done considerable tweaking since then on the handling dept.

Would really appreciate getting other first hand reports on the P+ handling and noise.

can you let us know what you have driven in the past so we have a frame of reference? M5? C63?

essendon2000 - Welcome to the fold.

DAMNIT! Not I want to upgrade my Signature P85 to plus! :( Thanks a lot essendon2000 ... :)


I am an avid AMG fan; more so on their NA engines. Not so crazy with their current line of FI offerings unfortunately.

'04 CLK55
'09 E63

My family own both the Panamera 4S and Panamera GTS, I can seriously say, everyone in my family loves the car a lot, that we had to keep both to keep everyone happy. We also have a Cayenne GTS as well. you can tell we really love our porsches.

While, I think the Model S would be a better car for daily grind, an electric car still does not and will never provide the traditional feel and sportiness of an ICE sports sedan. The Model S is a very fast car, but its not a car I would like to drive fast or just go for a cruise in.

@Godzpeed I assume you have a lot of experience driving a Model S based on your statement.

Having come from a new 911S and competition package 2011 M3 sedan, I don't think an ICE could ever compare to the benefits of the P85 and especially the plus version. Tesla did with one model what other companies had over a century. Time for a revolution and I feel bad for people who go out and get a new MB S class or 7 series or P car without checking the S.

That is a good set of reference cars. Could you take a minute to give us your take on the differences between E63 and P85+ suspension?

If I were you and you were me, I'd look no further than the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. True performance from a gorgeously sculpted car. Build quality is excellent and its quiet at speed (unlike the Tesla from what's been stated) with specially laminated windows etc. Sure, if electrical propulsion is your thing, then have at the Tesla. However, if you're looking for a true sports car with more performance than you'll ever need, do with the Turbo S.

And the cost of the panamera turbo S is over $80k MORE than the Tesla S p85+ !. Porsche must be quaking in their boots at the thought that Tesla might one day add another motor to the front and still cost less.


The P85+ does everything that the E63 does well and then some.

I love the handling dynamics of the E63 but the P85+ takes it to another level thus making the driver feel even more "connected" to the road but definitely not at the expense of ride quality. The ride on the E63 may be a tad jarring/harsh at its highest setting but the P85+ seems to take it all in stride even on the 21"

The P85+ seems to be more hunkered down in corners and more ready/eager to comply to changes in lateral or sideway movements like on a winding road. Slalom comes to mind.

P85+ also seems more sure-footed when performing high-speed maneuvers like lane switching and passing/merging.

The E63 does all of these things very well mind you, as you would expect from an AMG, but the P85+ just does them that much better and with seemingly less effort all at the same time.


Sorry, did noot mean to post the same thing twice

lph - Where are you shopping for your Panamera? I can't find a Turbo S, just a turbo and an executive (at 140k and 160k respectively).

Great to hear some comparisons of these machines!

@EMDoc A lot of recent S class, 750i or Panamera owners are probably kicking themselves why they did not hear the Model S before. I also think Porsche's glory days are probably behind them. MS and MX are going to take a lot of market away from them. They might have to go back to the days that they were just a struggling 911 maker. I say this as a current Porsche owner.

@carlk - Agreed. I planned to keep the 911 and M3 but they felt so old after my MS test drive. The other companies are years behind Tesla but have many more resources. I hope Tesla can stay ahead of the game.
And the fact that there are no stealerships just sweetens the deal. So, are you selling your Porsche or adding the MS? I do agree with Porsche engineering being if they can implement the same tech as Tesla (but vw may muck things up).

"You plan to keep"
I still have my BMW S1000RR and I have to push myself to run it enough to keep the battery charged as it sits next to my MY13 Zero DS. My Maranello is feeling equally neglected thanks to MS.

Normally I would chalk this up to the new toy syndrome. However, we are going on a year for the bike and four months for MS. My new toy attention span is not that long thus I suspect this is a permanent change in behavior.

The point of all the above is I think you may find your other toys are neglected (unless of course you do things like track days at which point they will get their thrashing).

@lolachampcar -

I had planned to keep the M3. Put it on sale after finalizing my P85 and sold it early April. I'm glad I did. 18.4 mpg vs a solar powered home and car with little maintenance.
The Maranello is beautiful. I love the 430 and Italia. But I would never purchase an ICE though I always pictured having a Ferrari someday. The 911S was amazing but the MS is simply the best!

I was trailing a Panamera Turbo in which the guy had been driving a bit too aggressively. It was time to teach him a lesson. We came to a red light and I pulled up next to him in my P85. Green light......I hear heavy rev's from his car, my car silently wasted him. By a full car-length. I was actually surprised I beat him by so much because I know that car has a stated 0-60 of 4.0. We turned onto another main thoroughfare and he continued to try to keep up with me to no avail and finally just gave up. Loving Tesla!!!!!!

The antics required of a performance ICE's control modules to get good 0-60 times is silly when compared to the MS where you simply press the big pedal on the right and you have instant acceleration. My daily averages are around 310WHr/mile and yet my foot hovers over the right pedal and, when the light turns green, I leave everything just sitting there. I'd like to think it is my super reaction times but I know better :)

Right. Those published ICE 0-60 time are done by professional drivers and the best picked out of many tries. It takes a lot of skills to launch a high power car. Any dummy, although no MS owner is, can probably get the 4.2 or so time in the first try. That's the beauty of the car for the average or above average drivers.

@EMDoc I plan to keep my Cayman S for now and see what happens. The two are very different cars. I may still want to drive the two seater from time to time but who knows.

The best part about the Model S is that altitude and temperature should not have much effect. It was very hot out coming home from work Tuesday, and I floored my 911S. Between the heat and 5,000ft above sea level, the acceleration wasn't great. When I went up to Park City last summer it was even worse. The Model S should be even faster at high altitude because there will be less wind resistance but the same power from the motor.... Can't wait!

I'm looking to trade my Cayenne (Manual Transmission) I've always driven a manual... As a twist, how do the manual drivers feel driving electric. It's like ALL your work is taken away

I have a 911 I'll be keeping, for times when I need to do more than 200 miles, or just want to be old-fashioned and change my own gears. Who knows, maybe after a few months, I'll sell the 911. We don't have a whole lot of published charging stations on Long Island, if that changes.... hmmm...

I've only owned manual cars. The regen braking on the Model S is very engaging to me and has almost become telepathic. Don't miss shifting. I think if the regen was implemented on the brake pedal the car would be not nearly as fun.

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