(continued from above)
When Porsche introduced the Panamera - the first all-new Porsche in seven
years - to the public in April 2009 at Auto Shanghai, it marked the official
birth date of the fourth model in the Porsche family, joining the iconic Porsche
911 Carrera, the Boxster and Cayman, and the Cayenne. The Chinese launch also
marked the culmination of five years of work on the part of Porsche engineers,
designers and stylists.
"The crucial task for our engineers was to
combine Porsche's sporting DNA with all the spaciousness and driving comfort of
a luxurious sedan," said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Porsche's executive vice president
of research and development. "The Panamera is an alternative car concept for the
premium customer, and while competing with established vehicles in the class, it
will be a clear segment leader in terms of performance, driving dynamics and
efficiency."
The 500-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive
Panamera Turbo provides Porsche performance and quality, as well as a level
of comfort absent among true high-performance cars. All U.S. Panamera models
feature a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) double-clutch
gearbox delivering a dynamic driving experience, ultrafast gearshifts without
the slightest interruption of engine power, a very high level of comfort for
four, and outstanding fuel efficiency when compared to a conventional automatic
transmission. The Panamera is the first premium car with an automatically
shifting double-clutch transmission to feature an engine start/stop system. It
saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not
needed, such as sitting at a stop light. All engines have advanced and
fuel-efficient Direct Fuel Injection (DFI), as well.
The Panamera Turbo
EPA fuel economy figures are 15 city/23 highway/18 combined. All Panamera models
are not subject to the gas guzzler tax and provide the best fuel economy in
their competitive set.
Porsche Panamera Turbo: Review (2/2)