Spy shots: Porsche Panamera test mule

Posted Wed Sep 13 2006 9:15 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

This is the latest photograph of the Porsche Panamera testing mule, Porsche’s first foray into the GT market. Looking like an elongated 911, with the signature Porsche rear end and the iconic headlights, the car definitely has Porsche styling elements while at the same time managing to look awkward with its 4 doors. The spoiler also looks as though it’s been ripped off a Lotus, and its bolted-on look further suggests that this could simply be a testing rig for chassis development or something of that nature.

With Porsche’s hit-and-miss styling of the Porsche Cayenne, the brands expansion into the other branches of motoring has been met with skepticism by a lot of people suggesting that Porsche is simply cashing in on its brand power.The Panamera will face stiff competition against the established GT, such as Bentley’s Continental GT, not to mention Ferrari’s 612 Scaglietti and Aston Martin's upcoming Rapide, all of which follow similar formulas to the Porsche in terms of engine layout and intended market.

We reported earlier that the Panamera could share engines either with the 911 Turbo or the Carrera GT, which it'll need to compete with the other big names. Production isn’t expected to begin for a couple of years, so it seems that Porsche might a little late to the party, but nevertheless we look forward to seeing a ‘proper’ version of the Panamera some time soon.

[Source: Caradisiac]

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