Porsche hits big time
November 27, 2008
This is a big week for Porsche - and also a week for big all-wheel-drive Porsches.
The Stuttgart firm's Cayenne and Panamera, respectively the current and future cash cows for the Stuttgart firm, have been making headlines.
The Cayenne is being talked about because it will at least appear with the one kind of engine Porsche always swore it would never take - a turbodiesel. We should see the oiler brawler here in early 2009.
Meantime, there's the car in the accompanying photo. This is the first official image of the Panamera, the low-slung four-door sports car (Porsche's first) that will not hit the road for nearly a year.
Panamera is set to be the next big thing for Porsche. The photo release signals the start of a major, potentially year-long pre-release promo for the machine, which aims at the likes of Mercedes Benz, Maserati and Lamborghini. The maker will be hoping, surely, that the world is out of financial crisis by then.
Porsche isn't talking techy stuff, but it's long been thought a new 4.8-litre turbocharged flat eight with up to 400kW will power the flagship version. A normally-aspirated V8 and a V6, with 220kW, will also be available. There will be a choice of a six-speed manual or Porsche's PDK seven-speed double-clutch gearbox.
Six is the number for the Cayenne, but the cylinders are flying in Vee formation. The 176kW 3.0-litre turbo V6 oiler comes from Audi. It's one that works for all the family, being found in the Q7 and the Volkswagen Touareg.
Those models also respectively employ a 240kW V8 and a 258kW V10, but they're not on the hit list. For now, anyway.
Why has Porsche finally buckled and gone to the dark side? "In response to changed legal regulations especially in European markets, resulting in tax incentives for vehicles with diesel engines".
Back to the Panamera. Porsche promises "sporting driving dynamics, a generous and variable interior, and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo".
Seen as a spiritual successor to the 928 - the last front-engined Porsche - the Panamera is a large effort. At 4970mm in length, it takes up more parking room than a Falcon and Commodore - in fact, even a Cayenne is 170mm shorter! The new model is also quite wide (1931mm). Height is 1418mm.
Shape-wise, it could only be a Porsche. Styling-wise, couldn't it have been made a little prettier? The headlights and front wheel arches are reminiscent of the 911. But you couldn't say it was as well proportioned. But purists are less likely to quibble about whether it's a 'proper' Porsche, as they did with Cayenne - which has become a mega sales success regardless.
Porsche is planning to build 20,000 Panameras a year.
What this means to you: You're going to see a lot of Cayennes being traded over the next year.
The Stuttgart firm's Cayenne and Panamera, respectively the current and future cash cows for the Stuttgart firm, have been making headlines.
The Cayenne is being talked about because it will at least appear with the one kind of engine Porsche always swore it would never take - a turbodiesel. We should see the oiler brawler here in early 2009.
Meantime, there's the car in the accompanying photo. This is the first official image of the Panamera, the low-slung four-door sports car (Porsche's first) that will not hit the road for nearly a year.
Panamera is set to be the next big thing for Porsche. The photo release signals the start of a major, potentially year-long pre-release promo for the machine, which aims at the likes of Mercedes Benz, Maserati and Lamborghini. The maker will be hoping, surely, that the world is out of financial crisis by then.
Porsche isn't talking techy stuff, but it's long been thought a new 4.8-litre turbocharged flat eight with up to 400kW will power the flagship version. A normally-aspirated V8 and a V6, with 220kW, will also be available. There will be a choice of a six-speed manual or Porsche's PDK seven-speed double-clutch gearbox.
Six is the number for the Cayenne, but the cylinders are flying in Vee formation. The 176kW 3.0-litre turbo V6 oiler comes from Audi. It's one that works for all the family, being found in the Q7 and the Volkswagen Touareg.
Those models also respectively employ a 240kW V8 and a 258kW V10, but they're not on the hit list. For now, anyway.
Why has Porsche finally buckled and gone to the dark side? "In response to changed legal regulations especially in European markets, resulting in tax incentives for vehicles with diesel engines".
Back to the Panamera. Porsche promises "sporting driving dynamics, a generous and variable interior, and the supreme driving comfort of a Gran Turismo".
Seen as a spiritual successor to the 928 - the last front-engined Porsche - the Panamera is a large effort. At 4970mm in length, it takes up more parking room than a Falcon and Commodore - in fact, even a Cayenne is 170mm shorter! The new model is also quite wide (1931mm). Height is 1418mm.
Shape-wise, it could only be a Porsche. Styling-wise, couldn't it have been made a little prettier? The headlights and front wheel arches are reminiscent of the 911. But you couldn't say it was as well proportioned. But purists are less likely to quibble about whether it's a 'proper' Porsche, as they did with Cayenne - which has become a mega sales success regardless.
Porsche is planning to build 20,000 Panameras a year.
What this means to you: You're going to see a lot of Cayennes being traded over the next year.
I'm more than happy with a V8. The modern engines are very economical anyway with the
direct fuel injection, especially with the new PDK gear boxes. Could be great for second-hand
buyers of Cayenne's in the next 12 months.
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