It may be one of the Porsche’s worst-kept secrets, but unfettered images of the company’s upcoming high-performance saloon have been elusive, to say the least – until now. A series of official Panamera images have found their way onto the ‘net.
By Gareth Dean
Measuring 16,3 feet long, 6,3 feet wide, and 4,66 feet high, the Panamera certainly sports an imposing set of dimensions – something it will need to snaffle sales from such distinctive competitors as Aston Martin’s Rapide and the Lamborghini Estoque.
The vast number of prototypes and test mules seen in recent months, and now this unadorned model, all sport similar proportions and styling cues that closely mimic other models in the Porsche line-up. With its elongated headlamps, the Panamera’s nose is especially reminiscent of the 996 era 911s. The profile is similarly 911-derived, with the extra two doors and an even more unusual extra-round rump. The rear sports a number of styling cues lifted from the Cayman, including large wraparound brake lights and that hatchback lid.
The blue car featured here sports Panamera 4S badging at the rear, quad exhaust pipes, and what appears to be a retractable spoiler similar to the one on the Boxster/Cayman. Other prototypes, such as the Panamera Turbo, will feature a larger, fixed-wing at the rear.
There is till some conjecture regarding official powerplants, but it is widely believed that the entry-level Panamera will be powered by a 3,6-litre, six-cylinder engine sourced from Volkswagen developing 224 kW. The ‘S’ model and Turbo models are likely to feature revised versions of the 4,8-litre V8 currently seeing service in the Cayenne S/Turbo. The normally-aspirated unit in the S will develop around 298 kW, while the turbocharged version is expected to serve up 373 kW. All models will feature Porsche’s new PDK dual-clutch gearbox.
According to US motoring website, , the base car will wear a $127 000 (roughly R1,3 million) price tag. Even so, Porsche intends to sell is 20,000 Panameras annually.