The Porsche Panamera shown in full

These are the first official pictures of the Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo. Which is annoying. The car is obviously ready for production, so we might have been able to see it for real at the Paris or Los Angeles car shows. And Porsche isn’t even bothering with the Detroit bash in January. But who can predict the whims of Weissach?

Here it is, then: Porsche’s first sedan in all its four-door glory. Since aesthetics are so subjective, let’s leave opinion on styling to the eye of the beholder and get on with some info about the hardware. On this occasion, the engine is in the front, providing the first surprise -- power will be supplied by V-6 or V-8 engines (no trademark flat-sixes here), with a range of muscle stretching from 300 to 500 horsepower. Some will be turbocharged, and all will feature direct fuel injection for optimum efficiency.

Surprise No. 2 -- somewhere down the line is a hybrid-powered version. It’s not clear from Porsche how soon it will arrive, although the company also has plans for a Cayenne SUV hybrid. Perhaps next year’s L.A. Auto Show might see a debut along these lines, because Southern California is a major market for Porsche and hybrids alike.

The Panamera will deploy rear-wheel drive, like all good sporty cars should, but there will be an option for all-wheel drive. Gears are shifted by a six-speed manual transmission or the company’s new PDK double-clutch, seven-speed, super-duper gearbox.

The two rear seats may fold down to take extra luggage, and the car has a coupe-like tailgate. Because Porsche likes to call this a “four-door grand touring sports car,” it's only natural that more cargo space would follow.

Prices, performance figures and trim levels are promised for next spring, probably at the Geneva auto show in March, and the Panamera goes on sale throughout the world next summer.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo credit: Porsche

Comments

[356man]

Hope they have better luck with these front engined water pumpers than they did from the last group. Funny how you don't see many of those on the road anymore?