Porsche Panamera

Porsche Panamera

The Panamera has finally been unveiled as Porsche issued official details and photographs of its newest model a couple of days after a premature leakage gave us our first taste of the German firm’s sport sedan. The new four-seater Porsche Panamera gran turismo will be making its world debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motorshow in March 2009, and the first models will hit the company’s dealerships worldwide from late summer next year with an annual sales target of 20,000 units.

Conceived and designed as a four-door grand touring sports car, Porsche claims that the Panamera combines DNA from “the looks of a coupe, the unique interpretation of the classical saloon body, and the benefits of a versatile interior for an unmistakable appearance.” We’ll have to wait to see the vehicle up close for our final report, but we gather that the Panamera’s design will most probably ignite the same controversy as the German firm’s first-ever SUV, the Cayenne.
Porsche has yet to reveal any photographs of the vehicle’s interior, but according to the company, the cabin has been designed to cover “the needs and wishes of the driver” as well as offering occupants a “pilot sensation” from all four ergonomic seats. Not exactly very “Porschy”, but the Panamera is said to have a large luggage compartment capable of fitting all four passenger’s baggage. Furthermore, the Panamera features folding rear seat backrests that enable the driver and passengers to adjust the luggage space individually to their personal requirements.

The fourth Porsche model series that is actually a five-door liftback and not a four-door sedan, measures 4970mm (195.7in) in length, 1931mm (76.0in) in width and 1418mm (55.8in) in height, or somewhere between a BMW 5- and 7-Series.

Without giving any specific details, Porsche said that it will offer the Panamera with six and eight cylinders engine that range in power from 300 to 500 HP. Some of those engines will combine turbocharger technology and Direct Fuel Injection allegedly making them both fuel-efficient and powerful all in one. In 2010, Porsche will also enhanced the Panamera’s range with the presentation of a hybrid version.

The flow of power to the wheels goes either through a manual six-speed gearbox or Porsche’s new seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox. As with the 911, in addition to the rear-wheel drive variants, the Panamera will also be available with the firm’s all-wheel drive system.

Further details on the engines, transmissions, performance, prices and equipment will be disclosed in the spring 2009.

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Speed Vs Luxury >> Luxury Cars >> 2009

2009 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia: Rally-Inspired Version

2009 Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia: Rally-Inspired Version
In celebration of the Cayenne S’ success at the ‘Transsyberia Rally’ that runs 7,200 km (4,460 miles) from Moscow, Russia all the way to the Mongolian Capital of Ulan Bator, Porsche decided to develop a limited edition version of its SUV that will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Like the slightly modified Cayenne S vehicles that took the first six places at this year’s Transsyberia Rally, the special edition model is based on the Cayenne S but comes equipped with the Cayenne GTS’ more powerful 4.8-liter V8 that produces 405 HP at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) at 3,500 rpm.

The V8 engine is matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox carried over from the GTS but shortened by 15 percent to 4.1:1. Buyers can also opt for a six-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. According to Porsche, the Cayenne S Transsyberia with the manual gearbox can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.1 seconds, 0.5 seconds faster than the Cayenne S while the interim sprint from 80 – 120 km/h in fifth gear is completed in 6.6 seconds, two seconds faster than the Cayenne S. The Transsyberia’s top speed 253 km/h or 158 mph.

On the outside the Cayenne S Transsyberia is distinguished by the four available color concepts including the rally combinations Black/Orange and Crystal Silver Metallic/Orange along with the more discreet color combos Black/Meteor Grey Metallic and Meteor Grey Metallic/Crystal Silver Metallic. With the exception of the Meteor Grey Metallic/Crystal Silver Metallic combo, the 18-inch Cayenne S II wheels come in each case in a contrasting color, as do the side plates on the air intake grid, the “Cayenne S Transsyberia” model designation (applied as a no-cost option at the side), the exterior mirror housings and the upper part of the extended roof spoiler with its double wing profile fixed in position.

Customers can also add the offroad roof headlights of the competition model as a no-cost option. The lights are placed in the vehicle upon delivery, since in Germany, at least, such headlights on the roof are not homologated for use on public roads.

Inside, the Transsyberia features ornamental trim on the dashboard and the doors, on the instruments and dials, the belts and foot mat surrounds comes in each case in the contrasting color chosen for the exterior. Finally, the steering wheel rim is padded and finished in alcantara while as an homage to motorsport, it also features a 12 o’clock mark in one of the contrasting colors.

The new Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia will hit Porsche dealerships in January 2009 with prices in the German market starting at 77,558 Euros.