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Porsche unveiled its Panamera four-door performance car, the company's first all-new, built-from-the-ground up vehicle since the Cayenne, which was introduced in 2002. The Panamera goes on sale at authorized U.S. Porsche dealers on October 17th, 2009.
The Panamera is Porsche’s fourth model line, joining the 911, Boxster / Boxster, and Cayenne model series. Unique in the luxury sedan market, the Panamera is a four-seater hatchback sedan available with all-wheel-drive. It is also the first premium car with an automatically shifting double-clutch transmission to feature an engine start/stop system that saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not needed.
Thanks to its hatchback design, the Panamera looks unlike any other vehicle in the luxury segment, and is clearly identifiable as a Porsche. The hatcback also provides the Panamera with a highly functional, variable luggage compartment. The rear seat backrests tilt forward individually to provide up to 44.6 cubic feet of luggage capacity.
Three models will be available for the start, the "base" V8-powered Panamera S ($89,800), the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4S ($93,800), and the all-wheel-drive turbocharged Panamera Turbo ($132,600).
Panamera S and 4S come powered by a 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine producing 400 hp at 6,500 rpm and 369 lb-ft at 3,500 - 5,000 rpm. The Panamera Turbo gets a turbocharged version of this V8 that pumps out 500 hp at 6,000 rpm and 516 lb-ft at 2,250 - 4,500 rpm. All engines available feature advanced and fuel-efficient Direct Fuel Injection (DFI).
All Panamera models in the U.S. feature a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch gearbox delivering a dynamic driving experience, ultra-fast gearshifts without the slightest interruption of engine power and outstanding fuel efficiency when compared to a conventional automatic transmission. The Panamera S, for example, consumes just 10.8 liters/100 kilometers (equal to 26.2 mpg imp) in the New European Driving Cycle (EPA fuel economy figures are not yet available).
The Porsche Panamera body is the synthesis of lightweight technology typical of a sports car and efficient aerodynamics. To create its lightweight structure, Porsche employs advanced production methods and all kinds of steel grades, light alloys like aluminum and magnesium, and plastics. In the case of the Panamera S, the result is a car that weighs just over 3,990 lbs.
One further visible highlight of the overall aerodynamic package and another innovation is the active four-way rear spoiler on the Panamera Turbo. Through its efficient management of control angles and surface geometry geared to driving conditions, the rear spoiler optimizes both the car’s aerodynamics and performance.
The Panamera chassis and suspension is designed to provide a combination of sporting performance and comfort. Its basic setting favors comfort, yet at a touch of the button, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) turns into a thoroughbred sports suspension.
Another highlight is the adaptive air suspension that can provide extra air volume on demand. An absolute innovation in automotive technology, it offers an even greater variation of sporting and comfort features and is standard on the Panamera Turbo and optional on the other models.
Through the Sport Plus button, the optional Sports Chrono Packages enable the driver to choose at the touch of a button the high-performance configurations for the engine, drivetrain and suspension systems, including Porsche Traction Management (PTM ) with its fully-controlled all-wheel drive. PTM is standard on both the Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo.