THERE are many cars over the years that have attracted attention for different reasons, from the Maserati Quattroporte and Fiat Panda to the Nissan Cube and Jaguar XJ.

But nothing has stirred people's imagination like the the big Porsche Grand Tourer.

The the so-called purists, the idea that German company that has produced so many thoroughbred sports cars introducing a four door saloon is like Gordon Brown turning Tory, just as it was when the four-wheel drive Cayenne hit the road a few years ago.

It simply cannot be ignored, retaining as it does, the look of the 911. It is huge and would need to go on a diet to fit many spaces in public car parks.

Long and wide the Porsche has a low profile and muscular almost predatory looks.

Despite the 911 similarity, not everyone, admittedly a minority,  liked the style of the car. The majority were dazzled by it.

Despite being probably the German manufacturers most practical car with its decent sized boot and split folding rear seats, the car has unmistakeably thoroughbred performance.

There is a choice of two engines, a 3.6-litre V6 or a 4.8-litre V8 which deliver performance in spades, but drink like a lager lout when the throttle is floored.

Almost perversely, it also incorporates a stop/start engine system that is designed to save fuel and cut emissions. Economy is claimed at around 25mpg, which seems to stretch credibility, but I found it much better than I expected.

The bigger engine is jaw-droppingly quick. It rockets from 0-60mph in what seems like the blink of an eye, but is in fact 5.4  seconds. There is also a turbo version that is even quicker.

There are faster-acclerating cars on the road, but floor the throttle and you are pinned back in your seat as the car leaps forward.

The huge V8 roar only then becomes prominent inside the soundproofed interior which is otherwise as hushed as a cathedral.

The interior looks more like the inside of a private plane, such is the array of controls and instrumentation on offer.

This is dominated by the central console that houses a bank of silver switches and buttons that control the heart of the car, but the dials and controls inside the binnacle are also of the highest quality.

The control zones handle such goodies as the standard sat nav, dual zone climate control, Bose sound system and allows the driver to select different driving characteristics. There are the active chassis settings, normal, sport and sport plus which alter the suspension and gear change ratios.

The gearchanges are assisted by the unpronounceable Doppelkupplungsgetreibe (PDK) clutch which gives lightning changes throught the seven-speed automatic gearbox.

This gives a fantastic drive and despite its size, the Porsche is surefooted and composed and corners like a dream, for a fantastic drive.

You would expect the highest quality in a car that costs, with the added options, more than £80,000 and would not be disappointed. The sumptuous leather seats are both comfortable, supportive and fully adjustable and to support the blistering performance the car is packed with safety gear.

Driver and front passenger has bags of leg and headroom and a couple of six-footers who sat in the rear two seats found they also had plenty of room.

It easily accommodates four people comfortably and adds practicality at the same time.

The boot is large and accommodating and for extra room, the rear seats can also be split folded to add to cargo space.

A performance car needs to be safe the Panamera has the lot from traction and stability control to power assisted braking and a comprehensive array of airbags.