Porsche Panamera launched

On April 19, Porsche presented the four-door Gran Tourismo Panamera in Shanghai. The car which will be made available in the German market in Sept ’09, comes as a fourth model series after the the 911, the Cayenne, and the Boxster/Cayman. The entry-level Panamera S will be powered by a 4.8-litre V8 developing maximum output of 400 bhp, whereas the Panamera Turbo will feature a 4.8-litre V8 biturbo developing maximum output of 500 bhp.

Klaus Berning, Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG, stated that with the introduction of the Panamera, Porsche is expanding their model portfolio as they are entering a completely new market segment.

The Panamera does not resemble any other of its class, offering a unique combination of sporting performance and luxurious comfort. The Panamera introduces five outstanding innovations in technology: Start-Stop system in conjunction with automatic transmission, air suspension with additional air volume available on demand in each spring, as well as active aerodynamics with an adjustable, multi-dimensional, extendable rear spoiler on the Panamera Turbo. All models in the Panamera range come with Porsche Direct Fuel Injection, low-friction drive systems, and weight-optimised lightweight bodies.

Earlier this month, Porsche had announced the price of the Indian Panamera S at Rs.1,41,74,000, Rs.1,47,11,000 for the Panamers 4S and a whopping Rs.2,01,84,000 for the Panamera Turbo ex-showroom, Delhi.

We wonder if the Panamera’s China debut is more of a marketing strategy on Porsche’s part, as a result of the countries four-wheeler market showing considerable amounts of expansion.

To celebrate the World Premiere of the Panamera on 19 April 2009, the car had to be brought up 425 meters to the world's highest event platform on the 94th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center in China standing straight up in the freight elevator.