The recent sighting of a shortened Panamera test mule has sent the rumor mill into overdrive with revived talk of the Porsche Pajun, a hypothetical sedan to slot in below the Panamera. Pajun is simply a nickname for the off-rumored sedan. It’s short for “Panamera Junior,” just as the Macan, a smaller SUV to the Cayenne, was originally nicknamed the Cajun.

According to Motor Trend's sources, the shortened Panamera test mule was simply one of the early mules for the new Bentley Continental GT, like the one shown below. Engineers were said to be using the mule to test a Bentley-specific version of the new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter that debuts in the 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo.

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As for the Pajun, those plans have reportedly been put on the backburner as Porsche focuses on its new electric car based on 2015’s Mission E concept car. It’s not clear what form the production version will take but it may be a slinky, coupe-like sedan similar to the Mission E concept.

2018 Bentley Continental GT test mule spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

2018 Bentley Continental GT test mule spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

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Sadly, plans for a modern 928, which like the Pajun would be based on shortened Panamera running gear, are also said to be on hold. According to Motor Trend's sources, higher-ups at the Volkswagen Group are concerned that a sporty, high-end coupe from Porsche may end up poaching sales from the Bentley Conti GT.

And don’t forget, VW needs to conserve cash as it deals with the fallout of its emissions cheating scandal. Right now most of the available resources are going towards the automaker’s massive vehicle electrification program.    

The program calls for the launch of 30 pure electric cars by 2025. One of those will be the production version of the Mission E. It’s due towards the end of this decade.