This Rare Manual V8 Porsche Panamera Is Oddly Tempting

Perhaps the biggest news from the reveal of the all-new, second-generation Porsche Panamera is that it looks way, way better than the first-generation version. With its ungainly proportions and bulbous rear, the old Panamera is a strong contender for the dubious honour of being the worst-looking Porsche ever built, its only real competition being the first-gen Cayenne. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t want one.

Sitting in the luxurious cabin with a big V8 up front, you can forget all about the Pan-am’s misshapen arse as you waft to your destination, in the full knowledge that you can peel off early onto a twisty B-road and have a load of fun. If that sounds tempting, you might like the look of the used example we’re examining today, particularly for that curious little stick poking out of the dash.

Yep, we’re looking at a manual Panamera. They did indeed make such a thing, but because a six-speed stick shifter doesn’t really suit a big ol’ luxury saloon like the Panamera, Porsche sold next to none in the UK. In fact, the car you see here is one of only two manuals we’ve been able to find for sale in the whole country. So, it’s a bit of an oddity, and is therefore more interesting than the common auto, even if it doesn’t make as much sense.

As this is the S model, the manual ‘box in question is fitted to a 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V8 putting out 396bhp and 370lb ft of torque. 0-62mph happens in a reasonable but - compared to the new model - fairly leisurely 5.6 seconds, while at the top end it runs out of puff at 177mph.

It’s done 29,000 miles, and is up for £39,984.