2010 Porsche Panamera – 911 break away?

January 7, 8:23 AMAutomotive ExaminerKyle Busch

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The rear-engined rear-wheel drive 911 has been the star
for Porsche. The iconic auto company from Zuffenhausen
Germany has tried to break free of the 911 mesmerisation
with the front engined 928 (8 cylinder) and the 924/944/968
(4 cylinders). Are all great cars, however, the company does
not manufacture them any more! The 911 still simply defines
the company Porsche!

The more recent Boxter convertible, the Cayenne SUV, and
the Cayman have helped Porsche to go in a “new direction.”
But, Porsche purest (with their cult following) still doggedly
maintain the real deal for Porsche is the 911 (there are the
water-cooled cult and the 911 water cooled following). To
show how powerful the “old ways’ are, Porsche still has a
lineup that is 75% rear-engined.

The Panamera is a “front-engined” “four-door” sports car.
Traditionally, Porsche’s have had no or limited rear seat room.
Today’s auto landscape demands that vehicles do multiple things
well. Thus, Porsche head Wendelin Wiedeking at 6’2” ruled that
the Panamera sports car would seat him comfortably in the rear
seat and that the car would look like a Porsche.

The Panamera measures 195.7 inches long – almost seven inches
longer than the Cayenne SUV. However, with the extensive use
of aluminum, magnesium and other exotic metals, this Porsche is
one of lightest four doors going. (the base car will weigh about
3,550 lbs.)

Motivating the Panamera will be a base 3.6-liter 300 hp V6
engine, a more powerful 4.8-liter 400 hp V8 and for power
junkies, a 500 hp V8 turbo. In keeping with the times, a gas/
electric hybrid V6 engine will be an option offering 25%
increase in fuel economy over the gas engine.

The Panamera will be equipped with either a 6-speed manual
or Porsche’s 7-speed PDK dual-autoclutch gearboxes driving
the car’s rear wheels. The naturally aspired V8 will also be
available with all-wheel drive.

Porsche will likely unveil its new sports car at the 2009 Geneva
Motor Show in early March. After going on sale in Europe, the
Panamera is expected to hit US dealerships sometime in the fall
of 2009.

Will the Panamera finally break Porsche away from the 911?
It will likely coexist with the 911, and the cult could once again
organize anew all the harder behind the 911!

Kyle Busch is the author of “Drive the Best for the Price…” He
welcomes your comments or car questions at his auto web site:
www.DriveTheBestBook.com.