The designers of the Panamera have succeeded in positioning this unique car as a
brand-new and truly different model while nevertheless retaining the looks of a typical
Porsche. Through its proportions alone, the Panamera stands out clearly in its market
segment: measuring 1931 mm or 76.0 in width, the Panamera is wider, and
measuring 1418 mm or 55.8 in height, lower than comparable four-door models. The
unmistakable, sleek GT silhouette is created by the cars overall length of 4970 mm
or 195.7 and short, sporting overhangs front and rear. In its styling and details, the
Panamera follows the design philosophy refined over decades on the 911 and successfully
implemented also on the Boxster, Cayman and Cayenne.
Through its design language alone, the Panamera will establish a new segment versus
the competition. The symbiosis of sports car DNA derived from the looks of a
coupé, 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. Striking wheel arches and the long and
sleek engine compartment lid create that typical 911 landscape at the front end of
the car the Porsche customer has appreciated for no less than 45 years, with the distinctly
contoured wings as flanks bordering on the flat front lid. The V-shaped seams
along the engine compartment lid and the rear window tapering out like an arrow to
the rear convey the features characteristic of a sports car to the new, highly individual
Panamera class. The striking, muscular shoulders over the rear wheels, the dynamic
sweep of the coupé-like roofline, and the visible tailpipes again bear out all the DNA
so typical of a thoroughbred Porsche.
The elegant roof arch extends stylishly over the generous interior, simply begging the
beholder to get inside. Like all Porsche models, the Panamera is oriented in every
respect to the needs and wishes of the driver. But now, thanks to the new concept of
space and the sporting architecture of the interior, the cars occupants are also able
to experience this special pilot feeling on all four seats. All four occupants enjoy supreme
ergonomic comfort on both the front seats and the two firmly contoured single
seats at the rear. The luggage compartment easily takes up all the passengers luggage,
the variable space concept with its folding rear seat backrests enabling the
driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space individually to their personal requirements.
And last but not least, the coupé tailgate in the sporting rear end combines
superior suitability for daily use with stylish elegance.
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.
Some of the engines use turbocharger technology, Direct Fuel Injection making them
both fuel-efficient and powerful all in one. The flow of power to the wheels goes either
through a manual six-speed gearbox or Porsches seven-speed PDK Doppelkupplungsgetriebe
or Double-Clutch Gearbox.
In addition to sporting rear-wheel drive, the top version of the Panamera comes with
even more sophisticated all-wheel drive, which is also available for the other versions
as an option. As a further highlight, Porsche is preparing a particularly fuel-efficient
version of the Panamera with hybrid drive. Further details on the engines, transmissions,
performance, prices and equipment will be disclosed next spring.
The Porsche Panamera will be built at Porsches Leipzig Plant, where a production
hall measuring some 22,000 square metres or almost 237,000 square feet and a logistics
centre are currently under construction. While the engines featured in the
Panamera are built at Porsches Main 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 some 20,000
units. Porsche is once again cooperating largely with German suppliers in the production
of the Panamera, with some 70 per cent of the cars overall value being created
domestically. Hence, the Panamera is most definitely a car Made in Germany.
The Panamera will be making its world debut in spring 2009 and the first models will
be at dealers worldwide in late summer of next year.
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