Although many have seemingly embraced the polarizing Porsche Panamera's look, one harsh reality is that it costs so damn much money.
Well, fear not, because Porsche has done the unthinkable and shoehorned a V6 powerplant under the bonnet. This now provides a more affordable alternative to your run of the mill BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, if you're feeling a little saucy.
If you need something with some panache, look no further than the entry-level Panamera, which will come in at an aggressive $74,400 price point.
Although 300-horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque doesn't exactly raise eyebrows these days, it will sprint the six-cylinder saloon to 60 in approximately six seconds -- for the "regular" Panamera -- and 5.8 seconds -- for the Panamera 4. And, if you option the vehicle with the Sport Chrono Package Plus option, you can knock off an additional two tenths, respectively.
Having spoken to a source in the loop, who has driven the new Panamera sixes, the Spies can confidently tell you that the base Panameras will impress because they have different power deltas than the Cayenne.
According to our source, "it's a big winner."
Time shall tell.
Porsche's press release follows:
The Summer Driving Season Kicks Off with Two New Porsche Panamera Models in Dealer Showrooms
Sharing the Porsche driving and luxury experience with more than one gets easier with the 2011 Panamera and Panamera 4 on sale in June
ATLANTA - June 4, 2010 - Starting tomorrow the 2011 Panamera and Panamera 4 featuring the company's all-new, fuel efficient 300-horsepower V6 engine will begin arriving at Porsche's nearly 200 dealerships across America.
These new models come just eight months after the successful launch of the V8-powered Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo. Since then, Porsche has sold more than 4,000 Panamera Gran Turismos to U.S. customers.
The new Panamera models feature an all-new, Porsche-designed 3.6-liter, 90-degree V6 engine with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) that develops 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Built on the same line as the normally aspirated and twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engines found in the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo, this new engine propels the Panamera and Panamera 4 from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 and 5.8 seconds, respectively (5.8 and 5.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package Plus option). Top test track speeds are 160 and 159 mph, respectively.
As a whole, these new models provide high levels of performance, agility and comfort and the same safety systems found in the V8 Panameras, yet they return even better fuel economy figures than the already efficient Panamera S, 4S and Turbo. The Panamera achieves 18 mpg city/27 highway while the all-wheel-drive Panamera 4 delivers 18 mpg city/26 highway, numbers that are no doubt appealing to consumers who demand driving excitement and fuel efficiency.
The Panamera and Panamera 4 MSRPs are $74,400 and $78,900, excluding destination.
Porsche Intelligent Performance = no gas guzzler penalty
Like every Porsche, the Panamera and Panamera 4 were developed according to the Porsche
Intelligent Performance philosophy -- more performance on less fuel, increased efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. U.S. models come standard with the revolutionary Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) seven-speed double-clutch gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function that saves fuel and reduces emissions by turning the engine off when it is not needed, such as sitting at a stop light.
Like all Porsches except the 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS, neither is subject to a gas-guzzler tax. And both meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States.
Porsche has always focused on superior efficiency and performance, and in the case of these new Panamera models these long-held tenets are not mutually exclusive. One example is consistent lightweight construction with the axles, doors, hood, front fenders and tailgate all made of aluminum. Likewise, the Porsche V6 is about 66 lbs. lighter than the V8, which contributes to the low overall curb weight of just 3,880 lbs. (1,730 kg) for the Panamera with the PDK transmission.
Like the proven V8 models, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4, as genuine Gran Turismos, combine a sporting character with a high standard of comfort and everyday driving qualities. Steel suspension is standard, and variable dampers and adaptive air suspension with additional air volume on demand are optional. This provides a wide range of suspension qualities and features, with a high level of motoring comfort on the one hand and extremely sporting driving dynamics on the other.
Other standard equipment includes an electric moonroof and power liftgate, the Porsche
Communication Management (PCM) system with navigation, Bi-Xenon™ headlights, Bluetooth® telephone connectivity, and the universal audio interface to connect an external audio source such as an iPod or a USB stick with the PCM system.
Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine's 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com's Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), inclusion in kbb.com's list of 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars, Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward's Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com's Car of the Month for January 2010.
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