If you want to see the new Panamera in action, all you need to do is go to the Nrburgring, where Porsche is running a fleet of four prototypes. They're still heavily disguised, but the body shape, the greenhouse, the chassis, and the drivetrain are close to production. At nearly 200 inches in length, the Panamera isn't a compromised coupe with a compact footprint and an excessively low roofline. On the contrary, the Panamera is relatively tall for a Porsche, so even rear-seat passengers shouldn't knock their heads when entering or exiting the vehicle. The size of the cargo hold is also in line with the car's grand touring character. Accessible via a large hatch, the trunk holds a generous 16.8 cubic feet, which can be expanded by folding the split rear seatback.
When it goes on sale in the fall of 2009, the rear-wheel-drive Panamera will offer a choice of two V-8 engines. Four-wheel drive won't come before 2010. The powerplants, loosely based on the V-8 in the Cayenne, switch to direct injection and grow to 4.8 liters. The normally aspirated engine will make about 400 hp, and the turbocharged version should be good for 500 hp. The base model tips the scales at nearly 4000 pounds. With bigger tires and brakes plus other modifications, the Panamera turbo will weigh a substantial 4300 pounds--no featherweight, but three quarters of a ton less than a Cayenne Turbo. The turbo is said to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and have a top speed of 188 mph.
In 2010, an entry-level V-6 model likely will be added. Equipped with a 300-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 supplied by Volkswagen, this variant is said to be capable of 155 mph. A year later, Porsche will launch a hybrid, powered by a combination of the V-6 and a 100-hp electric motor. The 175-mph hybrid is supposed to blend the performance of a standard 911 with the fuel economy of a base Boxster.
Also on its way is a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox will be an alternative to the six-speed manual. Ceramic-composite brakes and active dampers also will appear on the options list.
According to chairman Wendelin Wiedeking, the annual sales target for the Panamera is 20,000 units, but as is typical of Porsche, that number is a major understatement. According to an internal document, the goal for the first full year of production exceeds 27,000 cars, and a year later demand is expected to peak at more than 30,000. In America, prices for the Panamera should range from about $75,000 to $115,000.