Porsche Panamera, a divine surprise
In the wake of the 911, Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne, Porsche has now added another star to its galaxy. With the Panamera, a star is indeed born.
Since 2005, we’ve heard the most incredible rumours. Rough sketches, stolen photos, the Panamera has unwittingly fueled a real controversy. Was Porsche finally going to unveil its new 4-door vehicle and, if so, when ? We’ve had to wait until winter 2008 to discover it. Fans of the legendary 911 will probably find it hard to believe their eyes : this Grand Touring model indeed has four doors, and despite (or thanks to) this, it automatically becomes a rightful member of the Porsche family. For its production, a plant of 22,000 sq. meters has been built on the Leipzig site, together with a logistics centre. Moreover, 70 % of the creation of added value takes place in Germany, enabling the manufacturer to claim that the Panamera is a car truly “made in Germany”. With this model, Porsche enters the world of sports saloons, and families now have an alternative to the Cayenne SUV. Take a close look : it has the dynamism and responsiveness of a sports coupé, combined with the irreplacable comfort of a Grand Touring sedan. Yet it stands out from other vehicles in its segment because it is wider (1931 mm) and lower (1418 mm). Elongated, its short overhangs give it a racy allure. The radiator grille is classic, though the air vents with their pronounced contours provide an assertive and esthetically pleasing silhouette. Porsche worshippers will not deny its flat bonnet flanked by two wings with emphatic curves. For the Panamera, the driver is king and its passengers are treated as princes. The seats at both front and rear are all individual, comfortable and ergonomic. The interior adapts to its occupants’ needs, the back of the rear seats folds back and the trunk easily accommodates up to 450 liters. As for engines, efficiency naturally rules the day. The V6 and V8 engines provide power ranging from 300 to 500 hp. Transmission is ensured by a manual gearbox with six speed ratios or a brand new type of transmission in this segment, the PDK double-clutch gearbox with seven speed ratios. To be discovered in the near future, the Panamera equipped with a hybrid engine. Presented to the public next spring, it should be marketed at the end of summer 2009.
Panamera in figures :
Length : 4970 mm
Widht : 1931 mm
Heigh : 1418 mm
Weight : 1800 kg
Price : between 80.000 and 130.000 € HT
