The Auto Writer

2010 Porsche Panamera

I like messing around with the minds of some of my more avid sportscar friends.

Admittedly, my personal enthusiasm for fast cars doesn’t go much beyond the pony car set, that trio of coupes better known as the Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro & Dodge Challenger. But, it is the people who own a Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche or similar model who are a breed all to themselves — rabid enthusiasts who wouldn’t think of owning anything but their favorite prized brand.

Mind Messing Basics

The mind messing I like to do is to sing the praises of a vehicle I know that they absolutely hate. For Porsche enthusiasts that hatred isn’t so much directed at a competing brand, rather at what is going on in-house: first it was the Cayenne SUV and very soon it will be the Panamera (I keep saying Panera) a four door sedan/coupe that completes the dissection of the Porsche brand.

Now, one half of the Porsche body is comprised of true & traditional sportscar models which don’t need to be defined while the other half consists of sheer heresy: a sport/utility vehicle and now the P-car (a/k/a, Apocalypse I & Apocalypse II).

Shanghai’d In The People’s Republic of China

Yes, the Panamera was officially introduced this week at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show — in China no less — a four passenger/four door monstrosity, at least in the eyes of  911 and Boxster/Cayman devotees.

Naturally, Porsche is thrilled to have rolled out the Panamera, issuing a lenghty press release which included the following statement certain to stick a dagger in the heart of the most ardent Porsche sportscar fan: “The crucial task for our engineers was to combine Porsche’s sporting DNA with all the spaciousness and driving comfort of a luxurious sedan. The Panamera is an alternative car concept for the premium customer, and while competing with established vehicles in the premium class, it will be a clear segment leader in terms of performance, driving dynamics and efficiency.”

Yeah, what he said.

Anyway, the Panamera is still month’s away from its American debut, an $89,800 “S” that will sold along with a pair of upscale trim/tech/engineering models: the Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo, retailing for $93,800 and $132,600, respectively.

Anyway, if your blood hasn’t boiled yet, the remaining pictures will have you either singing the blues, accepting the changes, or heading over to your Ferrari dealership in search of the soon to be released California.

Photos courtesy of Porsche Cars North America.

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