First Porsche Panameras reach U.S. soil

Whether you love it or loathe it there's no stopping the Porsche Panamera now, with 31 models already transported to the U.S. via the cargo hold of a 747 jet. The 31 Panamera models will be the cars used for the model’s official North American debut, where the public will be able to see the new four-seater in the metal for the first time at the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 9.

The cars were airlifted directly from Leipzig, Germany where Porsche's production facilities are located. The four-door Panamera is produced alongside another four-door Porsche, the Cayenne SUV. Sales for the Panamera will begin in the U.S. on October 17, but prior to this the cars will be making appearances at a number of events during the Monterey Auto Week, including at the historic automobile races held on the Laguna Seca Raceway.

While the models arriving in the U.S. will be V8-powered gasoline variants, Porsche is already hard at work on a V6 model as well as a hybrid variant. Porsche is reportedly unable to use its famous flat-six engine in the Panamera due to space constraints, and thus a more conventional V6 engine is set to arrive in the future.

For the V8-powered Panamera models, the Panamera S will start at $89,800, while the AWD 4S will start at $93,800 and the flagship Turbo from $132,600. Pricing for the hybrid and V6 variants is uncertain, but details should be forthcoming from Porsche as the debut of both variants approaches in the next year or two.