Panamera: The Porsche Sedan

With the success of such high-end sporting 4-doors such as the Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes CLS and the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche has been readying its own entry into this fast-growing field.

Panamera

Due for a full reveal in March 2009 at the Geneva Auto show, Porsche has launched a teaser microsite on the internet.

Specifications are also trickling out of Germany, albeit at a snail’s pace. The entry-level powertrain will be a 3.6 liter six-cylinder with 300 horsepower. A step up gets you a V8 motor with 450 horsepower and of course the V8 twin turbo will be available at 520 ponies. There are also rumors that the Carrera GT’s V10 is being considered, depending on demand.

Unfortunately the term “entry-level” being used for the smaller six-cylinder engine does not carry over to the pricing strategy. Edmunds is reporting a base price of $127,000 for this model, with the other trim levels going up the scale from there. Porsche is actually expecting to sell 20,000 Panameras annually. We think the pricing strategy may prevent this.

The other concern we have: Looks

Spy shots of the Panamera appear to show what may not be the most visually appealing sedan we have ever seen. The above mentioned competitors look to have it beat in the style department, but in all fairness, we will withhold judgment until the final car is revealed in full. We do, however, have no doubt that this will be one fine driving 4-door!