For all the Porschephiles: 928 replacement!!!
 

http://www.autospies.com/images/3-3-05/porsche/1.bmp

http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/ima...0455598644.JPG

Porsche Panamera: Concept version of automaker's fourth model line due this fall

GREG KABLE

Posted Date: 3/15/05
Porsche’s anticipated fourth model line has a name: Panamera. Registered by Porsche at the same time as the Cayman moniker it is applying to the upcoming Boxster-based coupe, the new name is expected to grace a concept version of the car, which insiders describe as a combination of coupe and sedan, at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Due out in 2008, the Panamera has been conceived as successor to the 928. Designed with space for four adults, it is also tipped to come clothed in a four-door body in a move that will pitch it into direct competition with cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Maserati Quattroporte.

Secrecy surrounds the mechanical basis for the new car, though the Stuttgart rumor mill suggests Porsche chairman Wendelin Wiedeking has forged links with Volkswagen on a new rear-wheel-drive platform program in a move similar to that undertaken with the Cayenne and Touareg. Volkswagen chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder is interested in adding a new rear-wheel-drive model to the Volkswagen lineup between the Passat and Phaeton, and after the recent breakdown in talks with Maserati, it seems additional cooperation with Porsche may be in the cards.

Power for the new car is set to come from the same 4.5-liter V8 engines as those offered on the Cayenne. They include a naturally aspirated version with 340 hp and a turbo*charged unit with 450 hp. An even more powerful model with more than 500 hp is also in the pipeline. Up to 20,000 examples of the Panamera are expected to roll annually from Porsche’s Leipzig factory in Germany, where it will be produced alongside the Cayenne.

http://autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101990

Now all they need to do is change the laws in this country so the car can be used as it was intended :D

what is with the 4-door phenom? not all of us have big families to haul around at 100 mph+ the 928 was a bonafide 2-door sports coupe..literally a hatchback..I think the term notchback is correct..I wont accept it as a 4-door...grrrr :mad:

It would look much better as a two door and I hope Porsche offers a version in this layout.

I must say, there's something about a front engine, rear drive Porsche that just lights my soul. I can't wait to see this car on the streets! :cool:

-Chike

So basically its a 4 door 911 :confused:

I hope for as long as I live that there will never be a 4-door 911..that would do me in..I always comment at the Subaru meets how nice it would be to have a 2-door STi over here..and then grin at my SVX :D

with a twin turbo 450hp front mounted V8, i don't care how many doors it has. :D

not nearly as pretty as a 928, but i could live with it. ;) maybe i'll be able to afford one in about 15 years or so.... :(

For my money it looks like a Chrysler Concorde with suicide rear doors (looking like just a huge 'me too' Saturn/Mazda copy), a Japanese front end and a 928 rear fascia.

I didn't realize Maserati was competition for anybody these days.

agreed..whats becoming of the unique car makers? a me-too product from Porsche..first the SUV now......bleh

now that i look at it again, that front end (and suicide doors) are very RX-8-ish.

i didn't think they were big sellers, but Maserati is jumping right in to the luxo-GT arena again. gotta admit, they make some sweet-looking cars. :)

http://199.239.248.45/images/full/20...oupe904737.jpg

now that's a sweet looking car..it screams 'Vanquish' tho..but definately a looker :cool:

Agreed. Maserati (not to be confused with Mazdarati) has made some wonderfully beautiful cars over the years. I just didn't think they made enough to be considered as 'competition' by any other manufacturer.

My first thought when I saw the above pic of the Panamera was that it looked like a rounded, stretched RX-8. When I noticed the suicide doors it clinched it. Tail lights remind me of upside down versions of the ones on the 350Z. I think it's definitely Jap inspired.

hmm...German-Jap-then Italian influence...agghh a 3rd axis car :eek:

LOL :D

Johnny