Porsche has present the first official photos of the new four-door Panamera model. In its design, profile and silhouette, the unique four-seater is clearly a member of the Porsche family.
Conceived and designed as a four-door grand touring sports car, the Panamera combines numerous talents in typical Porsche style: sporting dynamics, a generous interior, and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo. Joining the 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars and the four-wheel drive Cayenne, the Panamera is officially the fourth Porsche model series.
The designers of the Panamera have succeeded in positioning this unique car as a brand-new and truly different model while retaining the looks of a typical Porsche. Through its proportions alone, the Panamera stands out clearly in its market segment: measuring 76in in width and 55.8in in height, the Panamera is both wider and lower than comparable four-door models. The unmistakable, sleek GT silhouette is created by an overall length of 195.7in and short, sporting overhangs front and rear.
Through its design language alone, the Panamera will establish a new segment. The symbiosis of sports car DNA derived from the looks of a coup, the unique interpretation of the classic saloon body, and the benefits of a versatile interior give the new Porsche its unmistakable appearance.
As an example, the Panamera comes with individual, contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille. Striking wheel arches and the long, sleek hood create that typical 911 `landscape' at the front of the car, with the distinctly contoured fenders as flanks bordering the flat front panel. The V-shaped lines along the hood, and the rear window tapering out like an arrow towards the tail, convey the characteristic features of a sports car. The striking, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic sweep of the coup-like roof, and the visible tailpipes signpost the DNA of a Porsche.
With a new concept of space and the sporting architecture of the interior, the occupants are able to experience this special `pilot sensation' from all four seats. Every occupant enjoys supreme ergonomic comfort in both the front seats and the two firmly contoured individual seats in the rear.
The luggage compartment easily takes every passenger's baggage, the interior's `variable space concept' with its folding rear seats enables the driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space to their personal requirements.
Porsche has developed up-to-date power units for the Panamera which reflect the qualities of the brand - the V6 and V8 engines range in power from 300 to 500hp. Some of the engines use turbos and direct fuel injection, making them both fuel-efficient and powerful. The power goes to the wheels either through a manual six-speed gearbox or the Porsche seven-speed or double-clutch gearbox.
In addition to featuring a sports-oriented rear-wheel drive chassis, the top version of the Panamera comes with even more sophisticated all-wheel drive. This is also available on the other versions as an option. As a further highlight, Porsche is preparing a fuel-efficient hybrid drive.
The Porsche Panamera will be built at the company's Leipzig plant, where a production hall measuring almost 237,000 sq ft and a logistics centre are currently under construction. While the engines featured in the Panamera are built at the main Porsche plant in Zuffenhausen, the painted bodyshells will be supplied by the Volkswagen plant in Hanover. The Leipzig plant will then assemble the Panamera for final delivery, with an annual sales target of 20,000. Porsche is once again cooperating largely with German suppliers in the production of the Panamera, with 70% of the car's value being created domestically.
The new four-door Porsche Panamera GT will make its world debut in spring 2009, and the first models will be arriving at Porsche centers worldwide from late summer next year.