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How the world has changed. Porsche will give the Panamera its world public debut in the Peoples Republic of China. Shunning the North American International (Detroit) Auto Show, Porsche will reveal its four-door four-seat grand tourer at Auto Shanghai 2009 at a press conference on April 19.
We recently published information on and photos of the Porsche Panamera (
click here), but Porsche has provided more:
Although eventually the Panamera will be available with a V-6 and a hybrid power train, it initially will be offered only with a naturally aspirated V-8 and a twin-turbo V-8. Furthermore, in the United States, all Panameras will be equipped with Porsche’s new Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK, or double-clutch) gearbox. A six-speed manual transmission will be offered in other markets, however.
The Panamera with the naturally-aspirated V-8 will come with rear-wheel drive standard, while the Panamera 4S and the twin-turbocharged Panamera Turbo will feature Porsche Traction Management (PTM) with active all-wheel drive.
Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package will be available as an option. With this system in “Sport” mode, the engine management system produces a more aggressive throttle response and also changes the parameters of the stability control system.
In addition to the regular steel spring suspension with variable shock absorbers, the Panamera will be offered with a brand-new adaptive air suspension system with additional air volume. The system will be standard on the Panamera Turbo and will be tunable for grand touring comfort with, as Porsche modestly puts it, “extremely sporting driving dynamics.”
The air suspension can lower the car when in Sport Plus Mode, improving its aerodynamics and reducing fuel consumption while also lowering its center of gravity for better handling. An option will be Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) which controls body lean in corners and also adapts to bumpy roads for a smoother ride in a straight line.
Porsche says the Panamera will be “entering the market in late summer 2009 with the first models in U.S. dealerships in the fall.” However, is China’s madcap economy the best place for the Porsche Panamera’s coming out party? No doubt with a waxing class of millionaire capitalists, Porsche can get a leg up on its competitors in the luxury car class in China while not decreasing sales anywhere else. Still, one wonders if there’s anything about owning a Porsche in Mao’s Little Red Book.
Illustration courtesy Porsche Cars North America
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