AT one time the idea of Porsche producing a diesel saloon would have been scoffed at but the tables are well and truly turned with the rise of the Panamera.

The Panamera is the Porsche premium luxury saloon and it is now available powered by one of the latest generation turbo super-diesels, a 2,967cc V6 which whacks out 250bhp via a silky eight-speed tiptronic transmission.

Capable of 150mph and a 0-62mph dash in 6.8 seconds it is up with the front runners in terms of performance and this power is underpinned by an economy factor because its combined mpg figure is 43.5, which is astonishing for anything produced by Porsche.

This translates into travelling from Berlin to Bologna on only one tank of fuel.

An engine start/stop system is now part of the package on this car which is another step into the future for Porsche which has conclusively proved since the model was launched that sports car dynamics and limousine comfort do go.

Major features are masses of torch which gives supreme pulling power and a wonderfully low seating position that fits like a glove. It would not take too much imagination to believe you were driving a 911.

Exclusively available with rear-wheel-drive the £62,134 Panamera diesel is a definite expression of Porsche's intention to produce a definitive large Gran Turismo styles saloon for today.

It offers great appeal to the driver who would really like a sports car but must buy a saloon, or indeed the saloon driver who wants a definite sporting character to his or her everyday driving.

Either way the Panamera diesel is a stunner, making best use of Porsche's expertise in lightweight construction methods.

Viewed from any side, its powerful stance gives the impression of a hunk of a car, but the expert use of aluminium and magnesium result in an unladen weight of just 1,880kg which is sweet music when you begin to realise that the power to weight ratio is approaching perfection.

It could be argued that trying to mix the qualities of an out and out sports car with a luxury car could only be a compromise, but Porsche insists that the Panamera range as a whole is an intelligent fusion of the two worlds and I tend to agree.

On the road it takes all in its stride and provides a potent contender for performance diesels from the likes of Jaguar, Mercedes and BMW.

There may be a few in its class that have more bells and whistles but for me there is really nothing in the sector that gives a sense of being at one with a car like this one does.