Porsche Panamera

The Porsche Panamera (Type number 970) is a four-door coupe. It is front-engined with rear-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive versions also available.

The Porsche Panamera production model was unveiled at the 13th Auto Shanghai International Automobile Show in Shanghai, China, on April 2009. In 2011, hybrid and diesel versions were launched.

Concept and description

The Panamera's name is derived, like the Porsche Carrera line, from the Carrera Panamericana race. The Panamera is generally considered to be the long-awaited fruit of Porsche's 989 concept from the late 1980s.

The Panamera is marketed as a more exciting and higher performing alternative to the traditional executive saloons such as the BMW 7 Series, the Audi A8, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Panamera competes more directly with cars such as the Maserati Quattroporte,Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and Audi A7.

Like the Porsche Cayenne SUV (which has become the marque's best-selling vehicle), the Panamera upset many Porsche purists, since it was seen as an attempt to broaden Porsche's appeal beyond that of hardcore fans. The Panamera ran contrary to the company's signature offerings, particularly its light two-door rear-engine sports cars like the 911. The Panamera on the other hand is considered a full-size luxury car, weighing at nearly 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg), with four doors, and its engine mounted in the front. The Panamera's appearance with its long hood and rear hatch bears little resemblance to a stretched 911, although it does resemble the 911 from certain angles.The iconic 911 has a sparse interior, as it was focused on raw performance, while the Panamera has a sumptuous interior loaded with modern technological amenities and expensive leather upholstery.

Production

Engines are first assembled in Stuttgart, and the car's body is built and painted at the Porsche Group facility in Hannover. The final assembly of the vehicle takes place in Leipzig, Germany, alongside the Cayenne.

Production began in April 2009, one month after its debut in the Shanghai Motor Show in China.

Porsche has applied for patents on a four-door convertible version of the Panamera that keep the same general dimensions.

Specifications

The V8-powered Panamera S, 4S, and Turbo models were the first versions that debuted in 2009. In addition to the 4.8L Twin Turbo 500hp V8, Porsche launched two further models in 2010: the Panamera and Panamera 4 which are both powered by 3.6-litre V6 engines producing 300 horsepower. The Panamera, S, Hybrid and Diesel are rear-wheel drive, while the Panamera 4 and 4S have the same four-wheel drive system as the Turbo and Turbo S.

Being derived from the V8 engine of the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, the V6 retains the V8's technologies like Direct Fuel Injection, infinitely variable intake camshaft adjustment with variable valve lift (VarioCam Plus), an on-demand oil pump, water cooling with thermal management, a variable intake manifold, as well as integrated dry sump lubrication with two-stage extraction of oil, and an Auto Start-Stop function (only with the PDK transmission).US models include an engine start/stop system, and the Turbo version uses active aerodynamics with a multi-stage, adjustable rear spoiler.

In 2011, the Panamera S Hybrid, Diesel, Turbo S and GTS variants were added to the range.

Transmissions

The new 7-speed ZF Friedrichshafen PDK dual clutch transmission is standard on the Panamera 4, 4S and Turbo models. With the addition of the optional sport chrono package, this provides faster acceleration times. In some markets a 6-speed manual is available for rear-wheel drive petrol versions. The S Hybrid and Diesel models come only with an Aisin-supplied 8-speed automatic transmission called Tiptronic S.

Panamera Turbo

• Drag Coefficient: 0.30
• 0- 60 mph (97 km/h): 3.3 seconds
• 0- 100 mph (160 km/h) : 8.2 seconds 
• 1/4 mile: 11.7 seconds @ 119 mph (192 km/h) 
• Top Speed: 188 mph (303 km/h) 
• Braking 70 mph (110 km/h) to 0 mph (0 km/h): 159 feet (48 m)