Spy Shots: 2009 Porsche Panamera

[tunersteve]

Flush with cash from strong sales of its Cayenne SUV, Porsche is looking to expand beyond its sports car roots yet again with an all-new sedan. Revealed here in our exclusive spy video, this 2009 Porsche Panamera prototype was caught while undergoing early development tests prior to its launch in mid-2009.

It may be covered in heavy camouflage, but this prototype does give some hints to the overall shape of this front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sedan. Porsche is already calling the Panamera a four-door coupe much like Mercedes-Benz does with its sleek CLS sedan. This should assure a low, sloping roof for the Panamera and somewhat limited rear-seat passenger room compared to sedans of similar size.

Set for assembly at the same Leipzig factory as the Porsche Cayenne, the Panamera is expected to use the same lineup of V8 engines as the SUV. A top-of-the-line model could also utilize a retuned version of the V10 engine from the discontinued Carrera GT sports car. A dual-clutch setup similar to Audi's DSG system is expected to be the sole transmission.

Expect to see the production version of the 2009 Porsche Panamera debut at the Geneva auto show in the spring of 2009, with sales beginning later that year.

 

[Peter5]

look nice .. even w/ the 4doors its still sporty

 

[genericuser]

nifty.. they mounted a big lacrosse stick the back.

 

[Brian MP5T]

I just barfed a bit in my mouth. The idea of a 4 Door P-Car simply sucks.

The SUV made baby jesus cry. IMO Porsche really steped over a line with that, then they steped back by making it faster than a Viper..

Still, This sadens me..

 

[Newf]

did hell just freeze over ???

 

[Anon Y Mous]

I'd drive one for sure. Porsche knows what they're doing. The Cayenne got panned because it wasn't a "porsche" but it's the single best selling porsche ever. The money from that model has done more to promote the porsche badge across the States than any previous sports car.

The profits from the SUV also allow porsche to lower the prices on other models or include more performance/options for the same money.

win/win/win situation.

 

[vcinsanity1523]

def need to see a real production version b/c im not sure about how I feel about it looking at those pics

 

[Cellerator]

Ewww, a 4door porsche, sorry, I don't like it. Porsche needs to worry about the sports car line more!

 

[GordonJ]

It's ok, not nearly what I'd expect from a Porsche though. I'm not a big fan of Porsche SUVs and BMW station wagons, and I'm pretty sure the engineers aren't either.
I mean, what's next, Ferrarri minivans?

No thanks.

 

[altspace]

True, Porsche loyalists are 90% going to hate the thought of a 4 door, but for those that love Porsche and want something a bit more "practical" in terms of fitting more passengers, then this will be a viable option. I say if the car stands true to it's roots, then go for it. There is much change in the air and I embrace it.

 

[jbiird317]

my aunt and uncle have a cayenne and a 911 turbo sitting in their driveway (yes, they are jerks and its not fair) and my uncle who is a porsche fanatic said that he even liked the cayenne. I havent ridden in either but seen them both, my feeling is, why not let the soccer moms have a little fun??

 

[tunersteve]

I think alot of people fail to realize that companies need to naturally evolve and expand their lineups in today's market. The Cayenne is their first step in that direction, and now the Panamera is their second. I like the Cayenne and I've always been a Porsche fan, and its always exciting to see companies put a new spin on another type of car that they're not normally associated with.

 

[B1GHAM]

my aunt and uncle have a cayenne and a 911 turbo sitting in their driveway (yes, they are jerks and its not fair) and my uncle who is a porsche fanatic said that he even liked the cayenne. I havent ridden in either but seen them both, my feeling is, why not let the soccer moms have a little fun??

because most (not all) soccer moms already have enough fun not being able to drive their gigantor SUVs while not paying attention to the road anyway. No need to stick them out in a version thats 10x's faster.

I dont know... I dont LIKE the idea of a 4door p-car... but if they keep it a 4door coupe its not as BAD. Ill have to follow this and see how it progresses to give my full opinion.

 

[GordonJ]

I'd wager for a good many consumers (and especially the soccer mom set), it's all about the emblem on the hood. They could care less about the performance aspect, and probably have very little automotive knowledge or interest. It's a status symbol.
Nothing wrong with that, if that's how you get your jollies, that's great. But I've known a few Porsche Cayenne drivers, and their knowledge of cars and enthusiasm for them was fairly tepid, and nothing compared to their obvious ego boost that came from driving one.

Plus, for most, it's all leased anyway. Enjoy your long-term rental.

 

[vindication]

hah, I didn't even realize it was a 4-door at first cause it was the last thing I expected from porsche. however, i like it.

 

[dbzeag]

Looks a bit like the Infiniti G35 sedan, but I am sure this is just preliminary. It doesn't look all that practical, however, with such a small boot.

Keep in mind when regarding Porsche and practicality, an owner can comfortably install a child's seat safely in the rear seat of the fastest production car in its day, the 928.

 

[tunersteve]

Don't forget, Aston Martin has a 4 door sedan coming out too called the Rapide.

 

[dmitrik4]

I just barfed a bit in my mouth. The idea of a 4 Door P-Car simply sucks.

The SUV made baby jesus cry. IMO Porsche really steped over a line with that, then they steped back by making it faster than a Viper..

Still, This sadens me..

that SUV saved the company. i'd rather have a strong, independent Porsche producing the Cayenne than a struggling Porsche producing rebadged Pontiacs.

 

[genericuser]

Don't forget, Aston Martin has a 4 door sedan coming out too called the Rapide.

hopefully it looks better than the lagonda, their first attempt at a sedan.