Panamera Autoblog First Drive:2010 Porsche Panamera a 4-door sedan 78 years in the making

[Bartek S.]

Porsche invited us to Germany to be one of the first to drive its all-new Panamera, the company's first four-door sedan. We spent three days assailing the Bavarian Alps, streaking across the German Autobahn, and meandering through picturesque Alpine towns. We touched 170 mph at one point and sat stagnant in city traffic during another. What were Porsche's objectives with this new sedan? How does it drive? Who's going to buy it? And, most importantly, does the Panamera deserve to wear the coveted Porsche crest?
In 2002, the venerable 911 and relatively young Boxster were joined by an all-new third model that had loyal Porsche purists up in arms. Their favorite automaker had partnered with Volkswagen to introduce a Porsche-branded sport-utility vehicle called the Cayenne. Critics cried foul, enthusiasts wailed, and doomsayers predicted the end of the brand.

Within a few years, Porsche's SUV had become the best-selling model in the company's lineup – a true automotive success story. The profits from the Cayenne were used to develop next-generation 911 models including the GT2, GT3, and the LMP2 RS Spyder racing program. The cash also helped fund the development of an all-new program, the Panamera Gran Turismo -- Porsche's first sedan.
As expected, pundits have again raised their eyebrows in doubt while Porschephiles have resumed shedding soppy tears. The countless expressions of drama and doom continued... before anyone had ever driven the car.

Porsche set out to design the world's first uncompromised four-door. The automaker maintains that the Panamera Gran Turismo is yet another success story waiting to be written and claims the all-new model is the new class benchmark for performance, exemplary efficiency and personal comfort. The vehicle's world-first innovations within the segment include the first double-clutch transmission, the first with an engine start-stop system, the first with an air suspension with on-demand air volume, the first with active aerodynamics, and the first with an available "Sport Chrono" package elevating performance at the touch of a button.

Full article: autoblog