Porsche officially unveils its 300-horsepower V6 Panamera and Panamera 4 on April 23rd at Beijing Motor Show, just 600 miles away and one year after Porsche’s historic Panamera S, 4S and Turbo debut in Shanghai in 2009.
The Panamera and Panamera 4 will be available in U.S. Porsche dealerships in June 2010 with MSRPs of $74,400 and $78,900, respectively (excluding destination).
These new entry level Gran Turismos both feature a 3.6-liter V6 with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) developing 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This all-new Porsche engine is built on the same line as the normally aspirated and twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engines found in the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo.
The Panamera transmits its power to the road via the rear wheels, while the Panamera 4 comes standard with active all-wheel drive. U.S. models will include Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), Porsche’s new and revolutionary seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, as standard equipment.
Other standard equipment includes an electric moonroof and power liftgate, the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation, Bi-Xenon™ headlights, Bluetooth® telephone connectivity, and the universal audio interface to connect an external audio source such as an iPod or a USB stick with the PCM system.
Like every Porsche, the Panamera and Panamera 4 were developed according to the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy — more performance on less fuel, increased efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Equipped with the PDK gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function, Porsche expects these new models to be considerably more fuel efficient than their normally aspirated V8 siblings. Official U.S. EPA fuel economy figures will be announced closer to the new models’ on-sale date, and like the V8 Panamera models, neither will be subject to a gas-guzzler tax. Both meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.
Porsche has always focused on superior efficiency and performance, and in the case of these new Panamera models these long-held tenets are not mutually exclusive. One example of this ideal combination of qualities is consistent lightweight construction with the axles, doors, hood, front fenders and tailgate all made of aluminum. Likewise, the brand new 90-degree angle V6 powerplant built at Porsche’s engine plant in Zuffenhausen is approximately 66 lbs. lighter than the Porsche V8 in the Panamera S and 4S. This contributes to the low overall curb weight, which in the case of the Panamera with the PDK transmission is just 3,880 lbs. (1,730 kg).
Like the proven V8 models, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4, as genuine Gran Turismos, combine a sporting character with a high standard of comfort and everyday driving qualities. Steel suspension is standard, and variable dampers and adaptive air suspension with additional air volume on demand are optional. This provides a wide range of suspension qualities and features, with a high level of motoring comfort on the one hand and extremely sporting driving dynamics on the other.
Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine’s 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors’ Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com’s Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward’s Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month for January.
