Edmunds (who else?) has pricing info on Porsche's Panamera sedan, under the guise "leaked document." If you read Edmunds (or any other car website), you know this already. You know there will be V6, V8, and twin-turbo V8 versions (the latter north of 500 horsepower). You know there will be a hybrid version, and that transmission options will include Porsche's new seven-speed dual clutch automatic. It's the sticker that's the kicker. For the Volkswagen-sourced 300 horsepower 3.6-liter V6 Panamera, we're talking $127k. If true, Porsche has priced the base Panamera straight into instant classic territory. Before you jump in and say "people said the Cayenne wouldn't sell and they made enough money on that porker to buy Lower Saxony," the Cayenne is very, very different. Porsche's so-not-a-sports-car wasn't $50k more expensive than its competition. And when you drop $130k+ on a Porsche sedan, you don't want to get smoked by an Infiniti G37 coupe at stoplights– let alone a 380 horsepower Mercedes S550. I give it an F-. But it's an epic car of legend and history. Thank you, Porsche.
39 Comments on “Porsche Panamera: Instant Classic?...”
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I have yet to see a photo of the Panamera that makes it look good. What’s with the lardbucket back half, anyway? Porsche could take some design lessons from Jaguar and Aston Martin.
Phew.. This car looks like a travesty. Absolutely awful looking.
The hunchback of Zuffenhausen.
Though I think the pricing makes it more of a Aston Martin Rapide competitor than competing with the CLS-crowd.
I’ll stick with the Quattroporte, thanks.
I remember before Ang Lee’s Hulk movie came out telling a buddy how good I thought it was going to be. I loved his previous movies so much. He said, it’s about time for a failure.
I don’t think many people who can afford cars of this sort–or who buy them whether or not they can afford them–gives an anus of a rat about “smoking” anybody at a stoplight. You have to remember the entire country isn’t composed of adolescents.
Oh, and didn’t somebody yesterday post that they’d pay the price of a Panamera if they never again had to read the words “epic fail” conjoined? Listen to your mudder.
@ Stephan Wilkinson:
But isn’t the whole idea of Porsche the ability to beat everyone? There’s no substitute, right? What exactly does/will this travesty excel at? What will it do better than a S63 AMG, M5, Quattroporte, Lexus LS, Bently continental, etc, etc??? At least with the Cayenne they were heading into very light competition.
Lacks imaginations and looks like a photoshopped stretched 911. For that kind of money I’d make do with two doors and go for the Aston Vanatage V8 or Audi R8 instead. If you really need four fast doors, how about an M5.
And if you really need utility and must have a Porsche then save yourself some cash and get the Cayenne.
Stephan Wilkinson:
I believe I was the one that initially expressed my disgust for the term “epic fail,” and there was no shortage of people who agreed with my sentiment
I do have to take issue with your point about “smoking” somebody at a stoplight. While the typical Panamera buyer would probably not make racing G35s and Evos a daily habit, the vast majority of people who pay that much for a sedan at least would like to know that they could beat that punk in the rice rocket if it came down to it. Why else do we have 600hp S-Classes? At this price point there should be no compromises.
That aside, this is a grotesque vehicle
That picture puts me in mind of a Saab that rear ended a 911. Not pretty at all. Have we even seen official photos yet, or is that a photo shop special?
HPE: Amen.
eewwww
It looks like a Chrysler Crossfire.
Instant PUKE!
Rating the thing F- is definitely unfair and undeserved. You’re excused, though, as the grading scale doesn’t go any lower.
Not to defend the awful styling or the actual concept of a Porsche sedan, but is the 127 large for the V6 derrived from the price in Euros? Because many European cars sell for the same or similar number of dollars that they do in Euros or GBP.
Porsche has taken their habit of shocking sticker prices to new highs with this car. Imagine it loaded up with a few of their customization/personalization options…$200k can’t be too much of a stretch on a V6 once you get going on the red stitched seats and leather-covered dash.
Doesn’t it seem like we’ve been hearing about the Panamera for a long time? I’m getting a little tired of it. I agree with the “instant collector” status…if Porsche wasn’t swimming in money they never would have built this thing. A few years under the EU’s new taxation policies will bring them back down to earth.
Seems like that price point puts it squarely into competition with the Quattroporte, another luxury sedan wrapped around a high performance GT. And Porsche vs Maserati is a good brand war. Too bad it doesn’t seem competitive in the appearance department. Perhaps they’ll sell few enough that the car will appeal to those who want something unique :)
Not that I want to depress my fellow Best and Brightest, but I think it’s important to emphasise just how much of a beached whale this monstrosity is going to be:
http://gallery.myff.org/gallery/211144/panamera.png
To get an idea of scale, the car directly in front of it is a previous-generation Mondeo estate, and in front of that is a Cayenne. This thing is so not like a 928, or even the 989, it makes me want to cry.
Sadly, you just know it’s going to sell by the thousands.
I’ll stick with the Quattroporte, thanks.
You beat me to it.
I do have to take issue with your point about “smoking” somebody at a stoplight. While the typical Panamera buyer would probably not make racing G35s and Evos a daily habit, the vast majority of people who pay that much for a sedan at least would like to know that they could beat that punk in the rice rocket if it came down to it. Why else do we have 600hp S-Classes? At this price point there should be no compromises.
Agreed. Most luxury vehicles are far more powerful than their users will ever, ever need. But it’s all about perception, and the “capacity” of doing so.
And, I mean, I like VW and all, but $127k for a VW engine is, uh, well, let’s say I’d like to have some of what Porsche’s managers are smoking.
My first reaction was it looks like an old Hudson Hornet.
I like the idea of a Porsche sedan. The problem is, my idea is a 911 with a useful back seat.
This is not a 911 with a back seat.
Orian:
If the world can take a Salfa Romeab, it can surely take a Porschaab.
this will likely appeal to the crowd that now buys the Bentley as well as to the ultra rich that like to have what only they can afford.
It looks like the love child of a Crossfire and something Citroen would make. Fugly.
Despite all this you know there’s a waiting list.
I never met a Porsche I didn’t love.
But in response to this one, all I can say is, “AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR….”
puff, pant, puff…
“….RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!”
Whew. It’s that bad.
Ingvar Says:
The hunchback of Zuffenhausen.
I like that. I also agree with the crossfire resemblance.
I’d love to have a Boxster or Cayman, but this?????
From the moment I saw the first concept versions of this I thought it was going to be a gruesome mistake. If that picture is of the roadversion then this is a numbskull stupid Porsche.
Edmunds got the pricing from a german website, so I suspect they took the price in Euros and did a raw conversion, neglecting that market realities cause pricing structures different that a straight up currency conversion.
The US prices will be lower than the numbers they’ve given. There is no way they are going to charge $127k for a six cylinder car.
As for the appearance, I find most Porshces look a million times better in the flesh than in photos. I have little doubt this will be the same. I think it will be quite attractive when you can see the curves in three dimensions.
stretched 911 limo anyone? jayZ? fiddy? diddy? anybody?
Come on how many folks here say 300hp is not even needed? I do not need 300hp, the Camry/Accord/Fusion get by just fine with 160hp. Yea I know the argument about more money, more power, more respect, fuey. Millions of folk do not need 161hp, objection about the HP is in a sense not so reasonable. Pegging price to HP can be really unreasonable to many folk. Anyhow I want a Bentley interior and great handling dynamics. Rarity is great and all and If I were rich splurging on prestige ie. giving others a look at something nice. So $127k and 300hp makes a lot more sense than any rare hyperpower two door for going clubbing, dancing, etc. with friends. Whats a $127k anyway right?
Only the new Camaro is uglier than this…
I always thought Porsche should make a four door sedan – A rear or mid-engine sedan. This thing, and the pricing, makes no sense.
I sorry but I am going to have to disagree with most folks here ans state that from the simple profile view of this thing provided with the posting it does look promising! Im sure that when viewed in person this car will have a sleek hunkered down look that appears to be hugging the road. I can also detect a bit of the sleek Cayman back on this thing. If done right this will be one wicked looking sedan.
Unfortunately for us rank and file regular Joes out here Porsche can price their cars at whatever price the market will support. For the limited amount of cars they produce a year and the growing world market they are selling in, Porsche is no longer concerned about what the “upper-middle class” American consumer wants or cares to pay for it. Our money just doesnt go to far anymore!
Proving yet again that Porsche has the laziest design staff in the world. Out of the entire Porsche family this looks like the inbred child they hide in the basement.
It is pleasant a enough looking modern sedan with Porsche styling elements.
One fun thing living at 9000Ft in Colorado is the frequent prototype sightings up here. An undisguised Panamera was out front of my workplace at the gas pumps next door a couple of months ago. It attracted no undue attention, although my 30 year old boss got genuinely excited when I told him what it was.
Personlly, I think it will just blend in with the other sleek 4-door sedans out there, and to my eye the most recent Dodge Intrepid has more distinctive and attractive styling.
there is simply no way that a V6 base model will be $127,000. Isn’t that about what a 911 Turbo costs these days? There is just no way they’re going to try to sell an ugly sedan powered by a VW VR6 for 127,000. I could see 127,000 for the Turbo S model with all the options, maybe. I just don’t believe edmunds, at all.
re: Stein X Leikanger Says: From the moment I saw the first concept versions of this I thought it was going to be a gruesome mistake.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
except for the initial artist’s sketch depicting the car’s general theme, in profile, [which i did find attractive] i gotta agree with stein x, as far as aesthetics are concerned. however, it seems to me that if it drives right – if it performs like a porsche – it will be a success. and if it does not, it won’t.
i am still looking forward to its arrival next spring.