It's not like Porsche has done a very good job keeping the Panamera, its upcoming four-door sports sedan coupe, a secret. We've seen more spy shots of the Panamera undergoing testing than pics of Britney doing something unseemly in public, and that's a lot. But rather than just show us the final production form of the Panamera, the name of which is now officially followed by "Gran Turismo", Porsche has decided to do a full blown marketing roll out using the just launched Panamera Online Magazine as the medium through which we'll see the production Panamera bit by bit. The first issue is out and contains a few not-very-revealing sketches of the car as well as an image that will be used in upcoming advertisements in which the Panamera peeks its nose out of a garage. Unfortunately, the front end of the car looks pretty much like every other Porsche. Nevertheless, the roll out has begun and sooner rather than later we'll be able to pass judgment on Porsche's first four-door passenger car. Porsche says the Panamera's official debut is scheduled for next spring (probably the Geneva Motor Show in March), with sales to commence in late summer or early fall of 2009.

That is a fucking sexy teaser. I have high hopes.

It's a very pretty nose. Does it look a lot like a 911? Yeah, but considering they've spent the last 15 years having such a strong commonality visually between their model lines, it's really hard to have a porsche look like a porsche without it looking like a 911. I don't begrudge them that at all.

What will make or break this car stylistically will be the C-pillar and trunk area. I suspect the camo'd cars really hid the beauty of that region but we won't know for sure until they release it.

Why? Porsche makes good looking cars. Why would they make something which is awkward looking?

I'm sure that in addition to Porsche's designers there have been lots and lots of focus groups approving or disproving of every step of the design process.

EDIT: The rear-end of the original 928s was pretty ghastly too (flame-suit on).

What will make or break this car stylistically will be the C-pillar and trunk area. I suspect the camo'd cars really hid the beauty of that region but we won't know for sure until they release it.

I'd reread that article Mitlov. I don't think 9ff has their hands on a Panamera yet. They're simply speculating, and trying to see if they can get investors for the project, so when the Panamera drops they can hit the ground running.

This is stupid, this isn't how cars are supposed to be unveiled.

I dunno what you're getting at, but this is the same it's always been. The only thing different as of late, are magazines breaking "embargoes" and releasing images ahead of time.

The Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo is 16.3 feet long, 6.3 feet wide and 4.66 feet tall, with a wheelbase of 9.6 feet. Weight hasn't been disclosed, but its roughly two tons. The most striking detail on the profile shot is the indentations leading from the front fenders, aft of the wheels, into the doors, but the jury is still out on the Panamera's bulbous back end. The slippery shape and low profile gives the sedan a drag coefficient of 0.29, while an electronically actuated rear spoiler will keep things planted at speed.

An electronic air suspension is part of the package, along with an LSD, and power can be sent to either the rear wheels, or all four, depending on the trim level. Motivation will be provided by a range of engines, beginning with 3.6-liter V6 putting out 300 hp, and continuing upwards with the 400 hp, 4.8-liter V8 Panamera S and the Panamera Turbo, packing a twin-turbocharged version of the same bent eight putting out an estimated 500 hp. Power will be sent to Porsche's new PDK dual-clutch gearbox and although a diesel model has been ruled out, a V6-hybrid variant with 350 hp will come along at a later date.

Porsche aims to sell approximately 20,000 units of the Panamera each year, with the automaker estimating that 20% will be the range-topping Turbo model. The Panamera will only be available in S and Turbo guises at launch, with the V6 model following shortly thereafter. Once established, Porsche hopes demand will increase to 50,000 units annually, with sales beginning in the U.S., Europe and Asia next year.

What kills me, though, is that there's not even an option for a flat six. I realize that some customers will demand a V8, but wouldn't it have been awesome if it shared a base engine with a Carrera and had the 911 Turbo's engine as an option?

///drum roll/// http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/22/more-po...a-pics-surface/

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/me...11/1568747c.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/me...11/3330649d.jpg

i actually find it pleasing..ofcourse gotta see it in real to have a final verdict...but it looks splendid. the hatchish rear could be better, but its not so bad i wonder what the final interior looks like.

I'm really torn over this, the car from the rear doors forward is pretty good, if not a bit bland, I think I need to see one in person before I can make a judgment call on the rear of the car.

Also I think a flat six would be too wide to fit between a set of suspension uprights...but I might be wrong.