Friday 18th March 2005

New Porsche four-door GT named

Panamera to be powered by the Cayenne's V8

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Reports suggest that Porsche is on the cusp of confirming that it will produce a four-door GT, the fifth model in its line-up. According to Autocar, the new four-seater’s name is Panamera, a name that Porsche registered last July, and it's due to hit the road in 2008.

The Stuttgart company is expected to display a concept car in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show and will pitch it against such cars as BMW's M5, Mercedes CLS and Maserati Quattroporte.

Although secrecy still envelopes the machine's mechanicals, Autocar reports that it's to be powered by the same 4.5-litre V8 engines found in the Cayenne (above). They include a naturally aspirated 340bhp V8 with 310lb-ft of torque as found in the Cayenne S, and the Cayenne Turbo's unit generating a chunky 450bhp and 457lb-ft of torque. It's now in the public domain that Porsche is developing a more powerful variant with over 500bhp for the Cayenne's mid-life tweak, so that unit may well find its way into the Panamera. The new car, arguably the spiritual successor to the 928, is said to be a combination of coupé and saloon, it will seat four, and have a boot capacity of some 450 litres.

In a link-up similar to that undertaken with the Cayenne and Touareg 4x4s, rumours suggest Porsche chairman Wendelin Wiedeking has reinforced its links with Volkswagen via a new, co-developed rear-wheel-drive platform programme. Volkswagen boss Bernd Pischetsrieder has said that Volkswagen could do with a new rear-wheel-drive model that could potentially become the Phaeton's replacement so another co-operation between the two long-term collaborators looks to be in the offing.

Autocar suggests that Bentley could use the new platform for the Arnage's successor.

Picture: www.autocarmagazine.co.uk/

[aut0m0tive]

Can you imagine this happening 25 yrs ago?

"Bentley T-series replacement to be based on Porsche 928."

How things change...

[z_chromozone]

I always had a soft spot for the 928, if it wasn't for the prospect of huge repair bills I would have treated my self.

Z

[verysideways]

z_chromozone said:

I always had a soft spot for the 928, if it wasn't for the prospect of huge repair bills I would have treated my self. Z

ditto

[Marki]

I saw a pristine 928 GTS at a set of lights the other day and was amazed at how it looked, its been a while since i have seen one but this was absolutly gorgeous
to behold

[canam]

Marki said:

I saw a pristine 928 GTS at a set of lights the other day and was amazed at how it looked, its been a while since i have seen one but this was absolutly gorgeous to behold

And the design is nearly 30 years old! Modern designers could learn a thing or two there.

[cdp]

I think a four door saloon won't harm Porshe's image. The 4X4 did that!

On the subject of dodgey 4X4s I think Jaguar should be bringing in a 25K-30K modern sports coupe/roadster/sports-estate-thing (thinking eclat, lynx eventer and scimitar here) to take on the Boxster etc instead.

Better still a sub 30K mid engined sports car with v8 engines. Actually I think the other idea would sell more but I would prefer the latter.

[B10]

This car is not disimialar in concept to the car touted 15 - 20 years ago that nearly sank the company.

[silver993tt]

Well, better they launch a new model and make alot of money from it. We wouldn't want them to bought by a spotty teenager aka TVR would we?

Times have changed, Porsche needs to sustain growth otherwise it will be bought by one of the bigger players and just become a badge. Boxster, 996 and Cayenne have allowed them to do that so far.

[verysideways]

B10 said:

This car is not disimialar in concept to the car touted 15 - 20 years ago that nearly sank the company.

Yeah, but the Weissach axle that came from that car formed the basis of the revolutionary suspension in the 993, 986, 996 and 997.

I love my 993 - especially on days like these....

VS

[FourWheelDrift]

Hmmmmm......

I also remember a 4 door 911 touted about 10-15 years ago.

[verysideways]

FourWheelDrift said:

I also remember a 4 door 911 touted about 10-15 years ago.

It actually looked a bit like a 993 front end with a 997 back end, and a roofline like the photo you just posted.

[RFT]

indeed- the porsche 989:

www.theautobahn.com/forum/showcar.php?do=overview&car_model_id=42

[Harris_I]

I think this is a huge opportunity for Porsche. I'm almost tempted to put down a deposit and fervently pray a big pile of cash drops from the heavens before 2008.

The 60k to 100k 4 seater GT/saloon sector is one that is dominated on a value for money basis by the M5 (IMO), assuming the buyer is a driving enthusiast who wants the highest quality engineering, and needs to seat the occasional 4 plus a boot full of luggage.

The XJR and Quatroporte are too big to be truly wieldy (though still very sporty for their size and immensely desireable). The Bentley Continental is bloated and just not a true driver's car. The DB9 lacks a little something (I recently fulfilled a life-long ambition of driving an Aston Martin and walked away a little unsatisfied, I'm sad to say. It just felt a touch remote) and rear space is for 3 year olds with no legs.

The 456 is laughably expensive and overshadowed as a driver's car by the 550/575.

The 911 is (again IMO) the ultimate in driver interaction amongst this line up, but again rear space is small kids only.

So that leaves the M5. Astonishing engineering, hard core performance and handling, and punches well above its price. Only problem is everyone will mistake you for a 530d (which in some ways is also a blessing). Solution is to get the M6, of course, but for ten grand more with less practicality, I would feel I was being ripped off.

It's high time Porsche faced off against BMW.

[986 guy]

if this car was available, far fewer people would have bought the Cayenne (myself included?!). Baby seat in the back, pram & stuff in the 450 litre boot!!

[pd86]

oh dear oh dear, the porsche badge is just becoming more and more diluted. it isn't going to be long before your overtaken on the motorway by a porsche MPV etc etc

[lanciachris]

panamera??? what a stupid name. Im getting images of a dull tv program combined with this

www.caflisch.ch/images/vw-nutz/PANAMERICA%20HOLZBRUECKE%20kompr.jpg

[cho]

Seems like a logical step to make a four door sports car. Don't think it will dilute the brand as Ferrari have done the same without too much harm to their image. I don't think Porsche can rely on two(three?)models to keep them afloat forever. Anyway, didn't they use to make tractors as well!

[Miguel]

cho said:

Seems like a logical step to make a four door sports car. Don't think it will dilute the brand as Ferrari have done the same without too much harm to their image. I don't think Porsche can rely on two(three?)models to keep them afloat forever. Anyway, didn't they use to make tractors as well!

When did Ferrari make a four-door car? I only remember the Pinin, which was not put in production. Ferrari never produced a four-door car.

Miguel

[Marki]

lanciachris said:

panamera??? what a stupid name. Im getting images of a dull tv program combined with this www.caflisch.ch/images/vw-nutz/PANAMERICA%20HOLZBRUECKE%20kompr.jpg

Panamerica is actualy a good name , i dont now all the detais but it relates to a Panamercan race where i belive Pork did rather well

[peter450]

i think he means 4 seat but regardless of 4 seat 4 door as long as its a good car it will do the mark no harm at all, depsite what everyone says the cayenne has'nt killed off porshce infact its there biggest earner