Though it didn’t receive the warmest of welcomes from Porsch->ke1e faithful when it debuted in 2010, the Panamera->ke1840 has become an accepted cog in the carmaker’s wheel. Between it and Porsche’s SUVs, the German brand makes the money it needs to fund awesome rigs like the 918->ke3629 and the 911 GT3.->ke617 For the 2016 model year, Porsche has added a new version of the Panamera that it has dubbed the “Edition.” Despite its weird name, the Panamera Edition adds a lot of value at a price that is only slightly north of the base model’s MSRP.

With tons of standard features and only a slight price hike, this is likely to be a hot seller in the next year. However, while this all looks great compared to the base Panamera, does this new Edition trim match up well against the likes of the BMW 740i or the Audi A8?

Continue reading my full review of the 2016 Porsche Panamera Edition to find out.

Exterior

On the outside, the Panamera Edition doesn’t distinguish itself from the base model in many ways, but there are a few small differences. The standard features that distinguish this model are the high-gloss black trim pieces under the side glass and the standard 19-inch Turbo II wheels with colored Porsche crest center caps. The standard bi-xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Lighting System also helps set it apart.

Optionally, buyers can equip the Edition with the Porsche Entry & Drive package, which also adds body-colored door handles.

Other than those few extra goodies, the Panamera Edition looks identical to every other Porsche sedan on the road in 2015. I actually like the subtle differences; it’s like an Easter egg hunt trying to catch the small changes.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior of the Panamera distinguishes itself from the rest of the lineup a little more than the exterior, but the changes are still subtle. The clearest difference is the standard two-tone, black-and-Luxor Beige color scheme with Porsche crest embossed on the headrests.

Other distinguishing features include the Sport Design steering wheel, the “Edition” doorsill plates, and exclusive floor mats.

There are a few tech gadgets that separate the Panamera Edition from the pack, and these include standard Porsche Communication Management with a 7-inch touchscreen and navigation, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system with 585 watts. A backup camera, and 14-way power seats with heat and memory round out the extra standard features.

Drivetrain

In the go-go department, things are pretty much standard for the Panamera Edition. It comes equipped with the Panamera’s standard 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine mates to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Power heads to the rear wheels only on the base mode, while the Panamera 4 Edition gets the added benefit of all-wheel drive. In its base setup, the Panamera edition hits 60 mph in six seconds (5.7 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package). With all-wheel drive, the Edition can hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds (5.5 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package). Top speed checks in at 160.9 mph for the standard model and 159.7 mph for the all-wheel-drive version.

Where things get a little better for the Edition model is in the suspension system. Here Porsche added in its Active Suspension Management system that adjusts the suspension to suit the conditions. Additionally, the Edition received Power Steering Plus, which is Porsche-speak for speed-sensitive power steering.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

The Panamera Edition will hit dealer showrooms in June 2015. The base model will run $80,000 and the all-wheel-drive versions will start at $84,300. These prices account for a $1,900 and $1,500 increase over their respective base models.

Competition

BMW 740i

Nothing can truly match the look of the Panamera, but there are plenty of luxury sedans to consider when looking at the four-door Porsche. One is the 740i, which comes standard with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder that produces 315 horses and 330 pound-feet of torque. This engine mates to an eight-speed auto transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels as standard or all four wheels as an option. The base 740i hits 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive model does the same sprint in 5.4 seconds.

In terms of premium features, the 740i comes dangerously close to the level of the Panamera, but falls a few speakers short in the audio system.

Where the 740i makes up ground is in the pricing department, as it starts at just $74,000 and the xDrive model bases at $81,000. If you need extra roominess, you can also go for the long-wheelbase version and still save money, as it starts out at $78,000.

Read our full review of the BMW 740i here

Audi A8

The Audi A8 is another luxury sedan that matches up well against the Panamera Edition. Under its hood is a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces a mighty 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. This engine pairs with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive to deliver a 0-to-60 sprint time of just 5.4 seconds. The compromise is that the Audi does not have the agility of the Panamera.

Premium features are plentiful in the A8, as it comes standard with dual-zone climate control, leather seating, a sunroof, 18-way power front seats, a 14-speaker audio system and more.

Pricing is in the A8’s favor here, as it starts at $77,400.

Read our full review of the Audi A8 here

Conclusion

The Panamera is certainly an acquired taste, as it isn’t the most traditional-looking sedan on the market. But it is still a stunner in person, and it outguns all of its competition in driving spirit, thanks to the decades that Porsche has spent refining its line of sports cars. The new Edition model certainly adds a new wrinkle to the lineup by filling the sedan with over $6,000 worth of options for less than a $2,000 price hike over the base model. That sounds like one hell of a bargain to me.