Whether you love it or loathe it, the Panamera will likely change the performance sedan market forever. Buoyed by the success of the Cayenne SUV, Porsche’s managers have seen fit to put their famous badge on a four door car measuring approximately as much as a Mercedes S-class. Thanks to new reports coming out of Germany we can finally reveal everything you wanted to know about the Panamera, from its dimensions to the engine range.
The production Panamera is a large car – it’s almost five meters long and two meters wide and the base version weighs in at around 1800kg. Owners of the top-of-the-line 4.8L V8 Turbo model will be looking at a kerb weight of almost 2 tons. Porsche will launch the Panamera with three engine choices – a 3.6L V6 with 300hp, a 4.8L V8 with 405hp, and a 4.8L Turbo model with approximately 520hp. Even with the base model you’ll be able to hit 250km/h on the Autobahn, but if you decide to buy the Turbo you can nudge 300km/h, according to Autobild.
Porsche will use the Panamera to showcase its commitment to green motoring with the introduction of a hybrid model using the 3.6L V6 mated to a 110hp electric motor. Porsche’s hybrid drive system will allow drivers to use any combination of the two engines, much like today’s Toyota Prius.
Base prices will begin at €80,000 for the V6 RWD model and go up to €125,000 for the Turbo AWD variant. Porsche will expand its workforce by almost 1,000 to cater for Panamera production and the company hopes to sell 30,000 units a year. Sales will begin in early 2009 but only the V8 models will be available at first. You’ll have to wait until 2010 for the V6 model and 2011 for the long-awaited hybrid variant. The Panamera will also get Porsche’s upcoming 7-speed dual-clutch technology, though the company will have been beaten to the market by everyone from Nissan to BMW. Also available to customers will be adjustable shock absorbers and a number of sports modes to tune the character of the car.
On tap are a number of Audi/Volkswagen-sourced engines such as the V8, V10, and V12 TDI that could make their way into the Panamera depending on customer demand. Also available is the V10 originally used in the Carrera GT, though it’s likely Porsche will wait a couple of years before launching a model with this engine, if at all.
Early reports are also claiming the interior is typical Porsche but that the seating space inside the Panamera is very comfortable, even for four long-limbed adults. We’ll have to try it ourselves to believe it, but this may be the reason why Porsche had to make it so long.
Reader Comments
Mon Jan 21 2008 1:16 PM
Gus says
I hate to say it, but it looks good.
Better than the s-class and the 7 from the back, that's for sure.
Much as I think Porsches should be two-door sports cars, this thing looks really nice.
Mon Jan 21 2008 5:42 PM
ohmy says
looks nice, like a carrera GT but the fat uglier sister instead of the hot one.
but it will never be a 'true' porsche in my eyes.
why, the 4 doors, the weight, etc
but im sure porsche will sell a good amount of them
Mon Jan 21 2008 8:24 PM
anthony says
I would have to see it in person, so far not the prettiest 4-door.
Tue Jan 22 2008 12:38 AM
bambam says
it gets better every time they change this. I saw the first few pics of the earlier revision of this.
This one is better. So I wait for the finish product. It looks good.
Tue Jan 22 2008 1:46 AM
Alan says
The tail looks bit weird, but the front looks quite nice. But, i don't really like the idea though. A 2 ton Porsche limo isn't my idea of a Porsche, this is no better then Cayenne. I'm sure it will sell well, but i was more hoping for something more light weight, a genuine family man's Porsche
Tue Jan 22 2008 6:59 AM
HECTOR says
Compare this other abortion to wear the Porsche badge (the first one is taller) against the gorgeous Aston Martin Rapide concept and you tell me which one you'd rather be driving all things being equal.
Tue Jan 22 2008 8:06 AM
Jezza says
Hector - the Rapide is nice but it\'ll be at least 2x as expensive. And it\'s also quite likely the Porsche will be the faster, better handling car.
Tue Jan 22 2008 2:16 PM
lexlife says
The very first design renderings that came out several years ago were eye catching. The reality is shaping up to be anything but attractive. Its a 911 plus two extra doors. I see the vehicle creating a new car segment. Imho a M5, CLS63 or even S8 is more practical if I needed to mix ultra high performance with 4 doors. On second thought, I just noticed the price - at $250KUS for a turbo Awd, the AM Rapide would be a far better choice blending luxury, performance and ultra-exclusivity- Hector, good call.
Mon Jan 28 2008 3:40 PM
Jarred says
why do people call this hideous creation a four door when all spy photos seem to point to a very unsexy wagon. I don't have an wagon bias but the angl is bad
Wed Jan 30 2008 7:37 AM
¨Rolf K says
Finally! Something to fill out the hole aftter the 928!
Actually Porsche built an almost identical car a lot of years ago. It was based on the 928 but modified with four doors. It was built as a gift to one of the bosses, I'm quite sure I read about this and saw photos on Phil Tongs site www.928s4vr.com . Can't find it now though, probably due to tech problems he's had.
Sun Feb 3 2008 5:11 PM
Sir Yappie says
Rolf - the sultan of brunei got a 4 door 928 specially made for him.
The 928GTS is my all time favourite car and this is in no way a replacement for it, The Pannamera is an aboration, and looks exactly how it shouldnt look - AN EXTRA DOORED 911. I think that Porsche have missed the opportunity to make a good fist of a 4 door coupe. Why not the design study from 2 years ago on the next gen Cayenne that showed a very low slung 4x4 that with a bit of tweaking could have represented a coupe.
As for the 928 replacement, the best rendering i have ever seen for a replacement was by Car and Driver. Im hoping that they decide to make a 2 door coupe with a tuned version of the Cayenne V8 in it. I have already started saving for it. And at the current rate of development and release times it should be with us in 2010-2011, and by then i should be good enough to put a solid monetary deposit down on 1.
Tue Feb 5 2008 3:53 PM
Johnny says
A Porsche sedan? Weird. But it'll probably grow on me like the 4-door Charger and the new Impreza STI station wagon has.
Tue Feb 5 2008 4:29 PM
Sir Yappie says
Sort of like the Cayenne eh Johnny ??
Everyone hated it, but it is a massive success and i for one think the Cayenne Turbo in black all chromed and tinted out, lowered and riding on 22's is a beast !!!
Still dont like the look of this one though...it just doesnt look right...maybe they are going down the path of safety by having it look like a 911 as that is still the greatest sportscar ever built, sort of like all the other cars in their range. Its not like when they had the 911, 924, 944/968 and the 928
Tue Feb 5 2008 7:07 PM
Bambino says
This car has a design like the New Mercedes CLS class, but It' nice, worth a buy. Only if less than 200K.
Wed Mar 19 2008 6:58 PM
Sir Yappie says
less than 200k ??? what GBP or US$...
You will not be getting this car for less than a 911. Simple fact...they will put a 911 S engine in and the top end will have a Cayenne engine in it...expect it to be around AU$400,000, US$380,000, GBP200,000
Thu Jul 17 2008 11:11 AM
Adam says
Porsche should be delivering an M5 and CLS AMG beater with the curb appeal of a Quattroporte, but they're instead building a S Class ... right when MB is admitting the S Class is not selling. Brilliant.
As for this latest "rendering" I'd say it's not the front that bothers anyone, it's what happens from the B pillar back that's worrying.
Thu Jul 17 2008 12:26 PM
bambam says
its got better and just right, however its the back that worries everyone such as Adam above but its the tradition of porches. Its either a choice or a must and it looks like it's a must.
This new rendering looks great even the back from this point of view anyways.
Thu Jul 17 2008 12:39 PM
autoque says
Adam, can you provide a link to MB admitting the S Class is not selling?
S Class sells better than 7 series or A8 and I see it everywhere. And it's considered to be the best luxury sedan in its class.
Thu Jul 17 2008 1:35 PM
christian says
sir yappie $380,000.............. i dont think so........ this car isnt competing with phantom's and maybach's, even the rapide wont be priced that high, I would say your 100k off the mark, acleast.
Thu Jul 17 2008 3:10 PM
Gus says
I'll wait to see one in person.
I thought it was going to be smaller and more agile...
Thu Jul 17 2008 3:20 PM
rover says
i personally thought the s-class sold pretty good, id have to see that article saying it isnt, i live in new york, and half of the limo's here are s-classes. so they cant be selling that bad, they obviosly sell more than the 7 series, and a8's.
Thu Jul 17 2008 3:22 PM
Brad says
Yappie, 380,000 dollars.......... WAY OFF
Thu Jul 17 2008 8:19 PM
Adam says
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/the-wealthy-concerned-about-gas-prices-merc-s-class-sales-fall/
US down 23%, worldwide down 12% and the S meant to contribute an estimated 25% to Daimler's nut.
Thu Jul 17 2008 8:32 PM
Adam says
I haven't heard anything official, but it doesn't take genius to see that US car prices do not line up with overseas markets based on the exchange rates. I see no reason to expect the Panamera will be much above or below equivalent Cayenne pricing
It's also patently obvious that Porsche will roll out the Panamera in the same way as each of the previous roll outs in the last 10 years and pricing will be line ball or even cheaper than the Cayenne for initial models at least in the US. I'd say the initial Panamera model could come out as an S with DI and PDK in a very fuel efficient rear wheel drive priced very aggressively to pick up BMW 3 and 5 Series buyers (Porsche needs volume initially ... it will pursue the lavish 7 Series buyer later with "uber" models, turbo engines, AWD, dynamic chassis (PDCC) etc.) I'd look at a current Cayenne S price list and adjust up no more than maybe US$3-5K to account for PDK.
It seems that Porsche has to wait for VW and Audi to do their X3 competitors, so no "baby" Cayenne yet, but a "baby" Panamera could happen sooner rather than later just under pressure of emissions averages. Perhaps this would mean a 2+2 coupe (really never meant as another 928, but let's recognize the lineage and hope for a rather different game plan to unfold ... the Panamera is never meant to impinge upon the 911, let alone replace it ...)
Thu Jul 17 2008 11:44 PM
Canucko says
I don't like the C pillar treatment and how it integrates into the Rear of the car.
It looks best to me from a rear/ rear 3/4 view. Front looks very Porsche...but the side profile integration looks like they went for head room and safety regs over a good roof line.
Fri Jul 18 2008 1:41 AM
autoque says
Eh, I wouldn't worry too much about it. That's just a current trend for fuel guzzlers.
Fri Jul 18 2008 5:50 AM
catchmyshadow says
this is the first time that i really think it`s looking HOT !
and people complaining about the idea of a porsche 4-door coupe, should be aware of the fact that with the panamera in its line-up, porsche will soon be able to create some monsters with 800 PS and more. something a 911 never could really achieve.
Fri Jul 18 2008 7:13 AM
Dandan says
I seriously doubt the V6 wont be available from the start. If going by the Cayenne naming.
Why would they release the Panamera S without the Panamera already being out?
Fri Jul 18 2008 11:06 AM
catchmyshadow says
read the article again:
"Porsche will launch the Panamera with three engine choices – a 3.6L V6 with 300hp, a 4.8L V8 with 405hp, and a 4.8L Turbo model with approximately 520hp."
Fri Jul 18 2008 12:24 PM
cirquo says
I'll have to see it in person. But for now, it looks a like a limousine body shop nightmare.
Mon Jul 21 2008 2:23 AM
vassilis says
A month or so ago, I saw prototypes at Nardo, Southern Italy, at the famous "Prototipo Testing" track, and subjectively the car looks fantastic. Camouflage was not so heavy and you could make out the silhouette.
The C pillar looks ok, he rear spoiler being perhapsthe only visual "issue".
The test cars were lapping flat out, and were surprisingly quiet. Thinking of it, extremely quiet...
No photos, cause my hosts would not be happy.
Wed Aug 20 2008 9:58 AM
Gus says
C pillar is odd.
300 hp is not enough for such a heavy car...
Wed Aug 20 2008 11:34 AM
Paul says
How could anyone prefer this over an S class? Porsche applied the styling of the 911 to a four door. I just don't see it. The Maserati, S class, 7 series and more are all better looking. The styling not only doesn't do anything for me, it turns me off of Porsche. The Cayenne looks great compared to this. I wonder how much more I can take before I just don't care anymore. (I'm not just bashing. I own an '88 911)
Wed Aug 20 2008 1:20 PM
Andrew says
Still ugly.
Porsche says the car's claim to fame will be that it drives like a "proper Porsche". But when you price it $40,000 above its otherwise equal competitors (S, 7, A8) that don't look ugly, that isn't worth it.
Wed Aug 20 2008 3:17 PM
Gus says
I'd agree with Paul until I see it in person.
I don't have a problem with a 4 door sedan, and I understand why it needs to look like a Porsche, but they should have started with more of a clean slate rather than just stretching the 911 shape.
That did seem to work for the Aston, but I'm not sure it does here...
Thu Aug 21 2008 9:08 AM
vassilis says
Gus, I agree with most of your views but having seen a couple of Panameras in person, I would like to point out that the car looks much better. Personally, I think that if it was a few inches wider, it would be more acceptable by Porsche fans. And I think the entire production will be sold out very, very fast. Do not forget that at the moment, whatever comes out with a Porsche (or VW ) badge is an instant market success. So, the Germans are doing something right.
There are many reasons why it took Porsche so long to launch the car and I woudn't be surprised if it performs better than the Cayenne -I mean its sales figures. The real "problem" is the positioning of the V8 variants: The exclusivity of owning and sheer pleasure of driving a Quattroporte is hard to beat.
Wed Aug 27 2008 2:40 PM
sam says
Oh My God...what a bastardised creation...a true Frankenstein monster. How anyone can call that thing 'nice' or 'not bad' obviously loves butt fugly vehicles (Pontiac Aztek anyone?)
That is so hideous, I nearly threw up when I saw it. And that coming from a former Porsche Boxster owner ( and yes...the boxster wasn't exacty beautiful either I admit).
Mon Sep 15 2008 3:53 PM
NoNameDenton says
911 styling dows not work on a front engined car, I prefer the Aston Martin Rapide
Mon Sep 15 2008 4:43 PM
Green Flag says
I have a suggestion to all those who don't like the Panamera - Don't buy one!! That'll leave more for the rest of us who appreciate Porsches.
Tue Sep 16 2008 8:15 AM
DaveDav says
it looks just like a 911 is peering from the garage
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