 Porsche
is universally well known for its two door sports cars, although at the
moment its Cayenne four-door SUV is the biggest money spinner. So what
else does Porsche need to spice up its portfolio?
A four-door car.
Come next year, the Porsche Panamera will be on our streets.
Admittedly, it will be very, very expensive so you will see only a few
here, but it is something worth waiting for.
The company’s first ever production four-door sports car, the
Panamera (actually a five door hatch) is said to be having the ‘genes’
of its iconic 911 even though technically it is closer to the Cayenne.
“This car has the genes of the 911 offers Michael Steiner, the product
line director for the Panamera.
 The
Panamera will come in two forms at launch: the S model, powered by a
400-hp, 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8, with either rear- or
all-wheel drive (4S), and an all-wheel-drive, twin-turbocharged V-8
version. Both models come with the PDK dual-clutch seven-speed
transmission recently introduced in the 911.
A 300-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 model will be available at a later date,
probably 2011, as well as a hybrid that combines Audi’s supercharged
333-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 with a 51-hp electric motor for a maximum output
of 374 horsepower.
Pictures reveal the rear seats to be very spacious, with ample
legroom and headroom. Cargo space is also said to be good, for a hatch.
 Porsche
has used high-tech, lightweight materials throughout to keep weight down
and the Panamera will be several hundred kilos lighter than the Mercedes
S-Class and the BMW 7 Series with equivalent engine capacities. The
Panamera S will reach an electronically limited top speed of 280 Km/h
and the Turbo, 300 Km/h.
This being a sedate saloon, Porsche didn’t want a furious sounding
engine disturbing the passengers. On the other hand, if you want to hear
that growl, there’s an exhaust button in the center console that
activates a valve on each muffler, opening a bypass that produces a much
more Porsche-like roar.
The Panamera is equipped with Porsche Stability Management, or PSM),
an adjustable damping system (Porsche Active Suspension Management, and
an adaptive air suspension with an active anti-roll stability system
(Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, or PDCC).
 All
models also offer a Start/Stop system, which uses a higher-capacity
starter motor. As soon as the Panamera comes to a stop, the system shuts
off the engine, then restarts softly when the driver lifts his foot off
the brake. It’s an industry first for V-8 engines and automatic
transmissions.
Ceramic-composite brake discs will be available with 19- and 20-inch
wheels and tires.
All in all, the Panamera is a unique car. Perhaps the closest to it
in terms of design and flair is the Maserati Quattroporte (Four Doors in
Italian). The Jaguar XF, Merc S and BMW 7 are not just in the same
league anyway. It’s a car you will buy with your heart, not the head.
- Pramod
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