Where sports cars are concerned, one of the names that most easily comes to mind is Porsche. Their fast, aerodynamic models always feature strongly at race meets. Now the German manufacturer has broken new ground with its first venture into the world of the sedan, with the Porsche Panamera.
The Porsche Panamera is not a recent concept. It has its roots in the 1950s with the Pan American Race in Mexico, which was a long distance car race taking competitors over 3,000 kilometers of challenging terrain. The Germans decided to enter and to try out their newest model: the 550RS Spyder, capable of cruising at speeds in excess of 200 kph, establishing something of a milestone in the automotive world.
In 2009 Porsche wanted to pay tribute to this achievement and decided to christen their new model with the name Panamera, a four door car combining sporting properties with the elegant shapes of a luxury model.
At first glance the Panamera grabs the attention. It is not just its aerodynamic shape, but the beauty of its design, which takes the breath away. It is a celebration of clean lines, boasting its fine sporting pedigree, the only difference being the four seats, four doors and luggage compartment. This is ample proof of the designers’ claim that this car redefines “luxury sports car”.
The designers used two basic principles: they did not want to produce a conventional car but neither did they want to overplay the luxury aspects of their creation. They must have worked with silk gloves. This is after all their first venture into the luxury sedan market, as Porsche has traditionally concentrated on sports models. This was quite a challenge, but one which they came through with flying colors.
The Germans have not just produced their first family car, but have incorporated features that will be hard to beat. To begin with the shape is typically Porsche: short, wide and level. To this extent it is a true reflection of its ancestors, evidenced by inherited details such as the mudguards that are higher than the front hood, its body lines and generous proportions.
The Panamera will be launched in three engine versions: the Turbo, the 4S and the S. The first boasts an eight cylinder engine, 19 inch Panamera Turbo wheels, caliper brakes, two double air vents and a two piece retractable rear spoiler.
The Panamera 4S produces 400HP with a seven speed transmission allowing quick gear changes, with imperceptible interruptions in drive power. The car’s designers have also included an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch which distributes drive between the front and rear axles according to driving conditions. The Panamera S has a six speed manual transmission and a sprung steel chassis with Porsche Active Suspension Management.
These characteristics help to fulfill one of Porsche’s objectives for their new star: to guarantee maximum driver comfort and stability, while also providing the sensation of driving one of the most luxurious cars available. This philosophy is also applied to the car’s interior, which was designed not only to achieve ergonomic perfection, but also to ensure that all the important controls are to hand at just the touch of a button. The designers are rather proud of the end result, to the extent that they assure that with the Panamera, development of the cabin has reached a new dimension.
The best thing is that, without for one second sacrificing its sporting characteristics, the car also incorporates features reminiscent of the great luxury sedans. One of these is the trunk that, while large, is hidden beneath a cover, which maintains the model’s clean lines. The second feature allows all four seats to be inclined, either individually or all together, which provides different transportation alternatives.
In these features the Porsche seeks to provide owners with the chance to have a Premium class car that is also an authentic Porsche from head to toe. A car with soul that will be a continual reminder of its noble roots. The Panamera is the answer to this objective, and to this extent it is a worthy descendent of that other model, the 550 RS Spyder, that in its time gave such satisfaction to its promoters.
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