Conceived and designed as a four-door grand touring sports car, the Panamera combines sporting driving dynamics with a generous and versatile interior and the comfort of a Gran Turismo.

Joining the 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars and the four-wheel drive Cayenne, the Panamera is officially the fourth Porsche model series.

The Porsche Panamera will be built at the company’s Leipzig Plant, with an annual sales target of 20,000.

The new four-door Porsche Panamera gran turismo will be making its world debut in spring 2009, and the first models will be arriving in Porsche Centres worldwide from late summer next year.

From the official Press Release:

Design

Through its proportions alone, the Panamera stands out clearly in its market segment: measuring 1931mm (76.0in) in width and 1418mm (55.8in) in height, the Panamera is both wider and lower than comparable four-door models.

The sleek GT silhouette is created by an overall length of 4970mm (195.7in) 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.

The Panamera comes with highly individual, strongly contoured air intakes instead of a conventional radiator grille.

Striking wheel arches and the long, sleek bonnet create that typical 911 ‘landscape’ at the front of the car which Porsche customers have appreciated for no less than 45 years, with the distinctly contoured wings as flanks bordering the flat front panel.

The V-shaped lines along the bonnet, and the rear window tapering out like an arrow towards the tail, 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 roof-line, and the visible tailpipes again signpost the DNA so typical of a thoroughbred Porsche.

The elegant roof arch extends stylishly over the generous interior, The car’s occupants are also able to experience this special ‘pilot sensation’ from all four seats.

The luggage compartment easily takes every passenger’s baggage, the interior’s ‘variable space concept’ with its folding rear seat backrests enabling the driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space individually.

The coupé tailgate in the sporting rear end combines versatility for daily use with stylish elegance.

Technical Features

For the Panamera Porsche has developed new V-engines with six and eight cylinders and range in power from 300 to 500 hp.

Some of the engines use turbocharger technology and Direct Fuel Injection.

The range of tramissions includes a manual six-speed gearbox or the Porsche seven-speed double-clutch gearbox.

In addition to the the sports-oriented rear-wheel drive chassis, the Panamera will be available with a sophisticated all-wheel drive arrangement.

Porsche is also preparing a fuel-efficient version of the Panamera with hybrid drive.

Further details on the engines, transmissions, performance, prices and equipment will be disclosed in the spring 2009.

(Source: Porsche)