Porsche Panamera History
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It's a part of automotive history and legend for its two-door sportscars, but that hasn't stopped Porsche from veering slightly off its track. First, it built a sport-utility vehicle, the Cayenne. This year it's introduced the Panamera, its first four-door car.
The Panamera is new for the 2010 model year, and adds to 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 2011 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.
Pricing for the 2010 Panamera ranges from about $90,000 for the rear-drive Panamera S, to approximately $95,000 for the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4S, ballooning to more than $135,000 for the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Panamera Turbo.
2011
For the 2011 model year, Porsche plans to add a V-6 engine to the Panamera lineup. The new powerplant is a brand-new 3.6-liter V-6 with 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive will be available, as will a six-speed manual transmission, joining the Panamera's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
