Porsche Panamera

Porsche is a part of automotive history and legend for its two-door sportscars, but that hasn't stopped it from veering slightly off its track. First, it built a sport-utility vehicle, the Cayenne. Then for 2010, it introduced the Porsche Panamera, the brand's first four-door car.

The Panamera lineup now includes Panamera 4, Panamera S and 4S, Panamera GTS models, plus the top-performance Panamera Turbo and Turbo S. And no matter which model, it's part of a quickly growing group of fast four-doors with less formal rooflines and a pronounced emphasis on performance. Among them: the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Maserati Quattroporte, and the Aston Martin Rapide.

With its new fastback-like styling, the latest Jaguar XJ also slots into this sleekly styled set. Its styling has been controversial, to say the least. And if you believe the rumor mill, the Panamera's somewhat bulbous rear end looks like it does, because a former 6' 3" chairman demanded the new car be roomy enough for his comfort in the rear seat.

The Panamera's performance makes it a true companion to Porsche sportscars like the 911, Boxster and Cayman. The base engine for the 2010 model year is a 400-horsepower 4.8-liter V-8 lent by the Cayenne. With twin turbos, the same engine cranks out 500 horsepower. Both engines split power to the rear or to all wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Handling is spectacularly balanced, with light steering feel that's not typical for Porsche.

The Panamera's roomy interior is also unexpected. It delivers the usual Porsche performance despite a long body and a long wheelbase. Four adults will find plenty of room--even more in the back seat, in fact. Those seats also flip forward, opening a cargo space that delivers enough room to cart a couple of bicycles even without removing the front wheels.

Porsche fits plenty of standard safety and luxury features to the Panamera, from curtain airbags to Bluetooth. Owners can specify custom trim or choose from a range of wood or metallic trim, as well as some finely stitched leather--and matching fitted luggage. The optional 1000-watt Burmeister audio system feels as powerful as the Turbo's scalding thrust.

Then, for the 2011 model year, the Panamera became a little more attainable, with the introduction of a new V-6 model. With an all-new 3.6-liter V-6 that Porsche builds on the same line as its V-8 (not to be confused with the VR6 in the Cayenne SUV), the Panamera V-6 can get to 60 mph in a respectable-enough 5.6 seconds and works well with the same seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. For 2012, a new Turbo S model pushed the power rating up to 550 hp and a GTS version added 30 hp to the S, while an all-new Panamera S Hybrid model was also introduced. All but Panamera base, S, and S Hybrid models now come with all-wheel drive.