Friday 13th February 2009

Panamera Interior Shots

Porsche opens up its new GT

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Porsche has revealed the first official snaps of the upcoming Panamera's interior. The pictures show an interior significantly different to the Cayenne and the rest of the Porsche range, with high-mounted controls on the transmission tunnel and a new attractive dash. A low-slung driving position should also help to make the Panamera feel more like a sportscar and less like a saloon.

Porsche enigmatically describes the interior as a 'new spatial concept' for all occupants. What this seems to mean is four separate chairs and ample legroom for rear-seat passengers.

Spaciousness is a theme that continues behind the seats. The S and 4S versions have an impressive 445 litres of boot space, apparently shaped to accommodate four suitcases. The turbo loses 13 litres of this, but that is still a pretty impressive amount of space.

As you'd expect with a luxury German car, many of the best features are on the options list. There are lots of interior goodies including four-zone air conditioning, electric memory seats, and a high-end sound system from Berlin audio specialists Burmester, which uses an active subwoofer and 'sound membranes' around the interior to produce a surround sound effect.

Porsche has also revealed some of the Panamera range's vital statistics. The 400bhp S and 4S versions will be good for 0-62mph in 5.4 and 5.0 seconds respectively (the four-wheel drive 4S having the edge on traction), and a 175mph top speed. Porsche has also kept an eye on economy, and both versions exceed 25mpg.

The Panamera Turbo's 500bhp and four-wheel drive get it to 62mph in 4.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of 188mph. Luckily, Porsche is also chucking in a complimentary course at their 'Driving Experience Centre' at Silverstone with every Panamera, helping you - or your chauffeur - to tame this bullet-speed barge.

The Panamera is set for a release on September 12 2009, with prices as-yet undisclosed. But the specification and engine choices would suggest that this GT is aiming at high-end rivals like the Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes CLS.

[smele]

Why does the Turbo loose boot space? I can't think of a reason why, bigger fuel tank maybe.

[[AJ]]

Just don't rest your hand on the center console. Who knows what all those buttons will do.

[Miklad]

Well, at least it makes up for being hideous on the outside by actually being a quite nice place to sit.

[varsas]

Looks good, I'm waiting to see what the Aston is like before it earns a place on my fantasy 10 list (you have to have at least one four door, don't you?)

[jonpinky]

Boot space could be due to the exhaust?

[Cassius81]

Well, interior looks pretty good to me, even if it is still not pretty from the outside. Much like the Cayenne, it seems that this thing won't be pretty but will do speed, handling and comfort very well.

Despite my initial scepticism about the looks, I keep reminding myself that Porsche rarely seem to make bad cars, at least these days.

Would still probably go with the Aston on looks though...

[Quattronaut]

The Turbo could lose the boot space because of the 4WD system - I think both the S & 4S are RWD?

[Mannginger]

That's a lot of buttons!

[smele]

Quattronaut said:

The Turbo could lose the boot space because of the 4WD system - I think both the S & 4S are RWD?

4S is 4WD.

[robert_raw]

I know they are weakening there brand even more by bringing out a saloon, but the interior on that does look awesome.

[mister.t]

Looks okay, though I prefer the Maserati Quattroporte interior to be honest.

They also need to sort those PDK buttons out!

[Toma500]

Looks okay a bit tame better than the exterior though Porsche seem to be too conservative to me .

[Waveboy14]

I thought the centerstack looked massive with thos buttons, however did anyone notice the size of the B pillars? (Wouldn't look bad on a house if you ask me...)

[WILDROVER42]

Very nice interior but it has to be to distract you from the fact that you are driving one of the most horrificly ugly cars ever created.

Quattroporte all the way for me.

[kambites]

smele said:

Why does the Turbo loose boot space? I can't think of a reason why, bigger fuel tank maybe.

Is it possible the rear diff needs an oil cooler or something daft?

[Pigfarmer3]

It seems to be just me thus far... but I think I'd be sick sitting in that interior if the car moved at all, or I'd spent more than 2minutes and 12seconds in there!

[infradig]

Sorry,that centre console is hideous.Has nobody at Porsche looked in an A8 or Range Rover let alone an XF or Quattroporte. Even multi-millionaires sometimes appreciate elegance.

[nav p]

looks like a nice place to be...i like it.

[RichB]

varsas said:

Looks good, I'm waiting to see what the Aston is like before it earns a place on my fantasy 10 list (you have to have at least one four door, don't you?)

Indeed - Quattroporte, no question... next problem you want solving?

[Olf]

Bloody hell, will it ever end. Oh yes of course it will in a dizzying tail spin of depreciation. Get 'em while they're hot.