Panamera Steps Into Four Ground
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday November 29, 2008
PORSCHE has exposed its worst-kept secret by releasing pictures and scant details of its upcoming four-door sports car, the Panamera, in what is shaping up to be the start of a drip-feed media campaign for the crucial new model.
The Panamera is longer than many large family cars but promises supercar performance as well as a frugal hybrid. To compete with the new and still-developing breed of four-seat sports cars from the likes of Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Maserati and Lamborghini, the Porsche Panamera is seen as a spiritual successor to the 928.However, the Panamera is a notably larger vehicle and - for the first time in a Porsche sports car - has four doors. Porsche says the model - which will come with an all-wheel drive system given the 4S badging in the photos released by Porsche - will have sporting driving dynamics, a generous and variable interior and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo.The Panamera will be offered with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.In an era when many makers are downsizing, the Panamera goes the other way. At 4970 millimetres in length, it is longer than a Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. And at 1931 millimetres wide and 1418 millimetres high, Porsche is clearly eager to emphasise that the Panamera is wider and lower than the four-door sports cars it will compete against.The Panamera's engine is in the front of the car for the first time in a Porsche sports car since the classic 928.It will go on sale in Australia in the second half of next year.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald