Porsche Panamera: Lump-Back Whale

Motoring Channel Staff - 25/November/2008

Stuttgart, Germany — Porsche's new Panamera is finally here. Well, almost.

The fourth all-new model in Porsche's line-up will have its official 'bells and whistles' debut at one of 2009's big motor show, most likely Geneva in March.

"Through its design language alone, the Panamera will establish a new segment versus the competition," boasts the German sports car maker.

Porsche hasn't released details on what sort of engines will power the new Panamera, which is a much larger car than the 911 or Boxster/Cayman, so we'll look at the design and dimensions first.

Panamera Design

The design is a curious cross between a traditional high performance 2+2 grand tourer, such as the Maserati Quattroporte or the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, with its long hood and 4-door body style, but with an odd-looking rear end.

There has already been much conjecture about the strange-looking rump of the Porsche Panamera after only days of breaking cover.

Many have ridiculed it, opining that Porsche has designed a $300,000 hatchback with an identity crisis. We'll leave the judgements to you, the readers.

Controversial hatch-back rear end design aside, and the Panamera is a true-blue Porsche.

The front end shows touches of both the 911 and Cayman/Boxster families, yet with its own unique character. 

The headlight design looks good, as do the neon-inspired 'border' fog lights. 

The simple front apron with large air intakes and the sculpted hood work to make the Panamera's visage look prestigious and sporty at the same time.

You may notice there's no grille. Porsche explains that the "...unique interpretation of the classical saloon body and the benefits of a variable space concept give the new Porsche its truly unmistakable appearance. As an example, the Panamera comes with highly individual, strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille."

Viewed from the side the Panamera's tail end will always dominate because it's such an original, different yet polarising design element.

Another interesting design cue are the air vents behind the front wheels, whose sculpted lines bleed into the front doors.

The rear end is of course dominated by the controversially sloping 'hatchback' but it doesn't look too bad from directly behind, with the LED brake lights, Panamera badging and stylised exhaust tips adding plus-points to the design.

Panamera Dimensions

You don't need to look at the Porsche Panamera's dimensions to tell its long, wide and low. 

Though this is a 2+2 grand tourer with the kind of luxury features to make BMW drivers jealous, it's also a performance car so it's very low to the ground with a 1.41 metre height. 

At almost 5.0 metres long and close to 2.0 metres wide and with large front and rear overhangs, this new German vehicle an imposing size.

The Panamera's dimensions are as follows:

Height: 1.418 metres (55.8 inches)
Length: 4.97 metres (195.7 inches)
Width: 1.931 metres (76 inches)

"Like all Porsche models, the Panamera is oriented in every respect to the needs and wishes of the driver, explains the German sports car company.

"But now, thanks to the new concept of space and the sporting architecture of the interior, the car's occupants are also able to experience this special 'pilot feeling' on all four seats," says Porsche.

This is possible because all four occupants in this 2+2 super tourer get sports bucket seats that provide excellent lateral support. No more sliding around on the rear bench when the driver starts to open up the throttle. 

Porsche also talks about the large boot, which can be increased in capacity by folding down the rear seat backrests.

That's all the stuff we do know. What we don't know is what sort of engine will be tucked away under the long hood.

Panamera Power

Though vague, here's what Porsche has said so far: "Porsche has developed superior and up-to-date power units for the Panamera again reflecting all the qualities typical of the brand - the V-engines within the engine compartment come with six and eight cylinders and range in power from 300 to 500 bhp."

So we know there will be two engine types, V6 and V8, and Porsche says that "some of the engines use turbocharger technology, [and] Direct Fuel Injection" which could mean the Audi/VW 3.0-litre turbo V6 could be used.

As for the V8 engine, expect that to be a modified version of the Cayenne's 4.8-litre unit, which just happens to include a turbocharged 500 horsepower version.

Power will range from 220kW (300hp) to 368kW (500hp) and Porsche will offer the new model in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, coupled with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK dual-clutch auto.

"As a further highlight," reads the official press release, "Porsche is preparing a particularly fuel-efficient version of the Panamera with hybrid drive."

It seems that Porsche is keen on being green, and has said that it will release further details on the engines, transmissions, performance, prices and equipment in the third quarter of 2009.

Panamera Construction

Porsche will build the Panamera sports car at its Leipzig Plant in Germany. 

The engines for the dashing new model will be built at Porsche's Main Plant in Zuffenhausen, and the painted bodyshells will be supplied by the Volkswagen Plant in Hanover.

Final assembly of the cars will take place at the Leipzig Plant and Porsche is targetting annual sales of 20,000 units. If the financial credit crisis persists into 2009 and 2010, this could hurt sales but a new Porsche model will be hard to ignore for a lot of top executives.

The German sports car company says the car is genuinely "made in Germany" as 70% of the car's overall value is created domestically.

We'll have more info on the new Panamera as it happens, so check back when you can.

Related Links:
- Porsche Cayman & Boxster (2009)
- Porsche 911 Carrera: Military (2009)
- Porsche Cayman S Sport (2009)
- Porsche 911 Targa (2009)
- Porsche 911 (2009)
- Porsche Hatchback (2012)
- Porsche Panamera (2010)
- Porsche Cayenne Turbo S (2008)
- Rich Britons Prefer Porsche (2007)
- Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 (2007)
- Porsche 911 GT2 (2007)
- Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet (2008)
- Porsche Cayenne (2007)
- Porsche Carrera GT by TechArt (2006)