After years of waiting and dozens of sightings by car spies, we’ve finally gotten a non-grainy and camouflage-free official look at the first performance sedan in Porsche’s history, the Panamera. And, well, let’s put it this way: if you can handle the Cayenne SUV, you can probably handle the Panamera.
Not that we love it. Indeed, we’re not going to sugar-coat things here: some of us flat-out hate the look of this big, flat-nosed, bustle-backed five-door. The more diplomatic among us are cautiously optimistic that the Panamera will merely take some getting used to. It’s the same swirl of controversy that surrounded the introduction of the Cayenne, which initially all but sent Porsche purists to the psych ward, but has ultimately become respected, if not loved.
The 500-hp Hatchback
“The symbiosis of sports-car DNA derived from the looks of a coupe, the unique interpretation of the classical sedan body and the benefits of a variable space concept give the new Porsche a truly unmistakable appearance.” That’s how Porsche describes the Panamera, and we probably couldn’t come up with a more flattering choice of words ourselves. Certainly, it couldn’t have been easy for Porsche to translate trademark 911 elements onto a front-engine, four-door body without giving it a nose as tall and blunt as that of the BMW 7-Series, and for that, we think Porsche deserves some credit. We also enjoy the fact that the Panamera’s high level of performance will be coupled with the innate practicality of a hatchback.
As for the performance itself? We know Porsche’s going to bring it in a big way, with engines ranging from a 300-hp V-6 to a 500-hp turbocharged V-8—and later, a hybrid powertrain. Those engines are likely the same basic units found in the Cayenne, and judging from the models shown in the official photos—a Panamera S, a 4S, and a Turbo—the nomenclature should carry over as well. A six-speed traditional manual or Porsche’s superb seven-speed PDK automated manual will be available on the nonhybrid models. And like the Cayenne, the Panamera will be available with all-wheel drive.
Unique and Sporting Cockpit Times Four
Porsche did not offer us any interior images, but we recently ran some spy shots of the Panamera interior that appear to match Porsche’s description of the cabin as “unique and sporting.” Porsche promises a cockpit-like environment for all four passengers, each getting sculpted bucket seats. The rearmost pair will fold forward, extending the cargo area into what we expect will be one of the most expansive of any luxury car on the market. Additional photos first published by Carscoop.com and available in our gallery show that the cargo hold will swallow four roller bags with ease, and roof rails appear to be headed for the optional accessories list. We're also intrigued by the spoiler on the Turbo, which seems to suggest the wing will not only deploy upward—like those on the Boxster, Cayman, and 911—but that it will also widen, as well.
Specific details on powertrains, performance estimates, prices, and equipment will be disclosed next spring when we officially see the car in the metal at its auto-show reveal. It will go on sale in the U.S. next fall.
All said, we welcome the Panamera. Had it come before the controversial Cayenne, we wouldn’t even want to drive it. But we do. After all, Porsche builds not just rewarding sports cars but capable 5000-lb SUVs, so we’re relatively confident that it can build a good sports sedan. We only wish it could have also been a good- looking sports sedan.