Porsche teases next Panamera
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 8th Jun 2016
The first look of the new Panamera's rear end is teased in the German car-maker's 'courage changes everything' teaser video, revealing the smoothed off roof line and a tail light arrangement, which continues the skeletal light pipes worn by other Porsche models as well as a full-width brake light.
The image appears in the first frame of the film and does not feature again, and no other views of the car are offered.
If a separate sketched profile image is representative of the production version then the new Panamera's profile will certainly be toned down and more akin to Porsche's other coupe models.
As expected this early in a publicity campaign, information of any sort is light, but the car-maker has revealed the new model will feature rear axle steering, launch control and a sports exhaust as part of a package that “combines the performance of a thoroughbred sportscar with the comfort of a luxury saloon,” it said on a dedicated web page.
On the information systems and tech side, the new Panamera is also expected to offer the latest in connectivity and a high degree of internet dependence. “the new Panamera models with Porsche Connect are equipped with intelligent, digital functions and are networked to the digital world”.
The back end shot also reveals a cleft lip boot edge, indicating the Panamera's innovative split folding spoiler will make a return – a detail that appears to be confirmed in a separate video in which a convoy of mule prototypes undergo testing in harsh environments.
“The primary goal was: we have the best sportscar in the luxury segment – uncontested, and we want to keep that position,” said Porsche chassis development vice president Manfred Harrer.
The first hints of what the Panamera successor will look like appear to suggest the car will continue on as its own stand-alone model and not transition into the production version of the company's Mission E concept.
The all-electric concept has been confirmed for production before 2020 and will adopt the Panamera's layout of luxury for four occupants and four doors, but the styling of the revealed car is significantly different to the first glimpses of a new Panamera.
Like the current version, Porsche is likely to offer a number of powertrains including petrol, diesel and hybrid options, leaving the full electric fight between the Mission E and arch rival Tesla's Model S.
The Panamera was introduced in October 2009 and adheres to the long lifecycle of other sports models that typically lasts between eight and ten years, chalking an arrival of the next-gen model in 2017 at the earliest.
From launch, its unorthodox profile that offers more rear seat headroom polarised opinions globally, but Australians have supported some local trade in the model with a peak of 18 sold in July 2010. Year to date, 34 Panameras have been registered in Australia.
Porsche is yet to reveal where and when the first full view of the Panamera will be offered but the Paris motorshow is a likely candidate in September.
