Porsche Panamera test mule in the open
by Damon Lavrinc on Sep 14th 2006 at 1:37AM 
Even though we've stood in front of it in Frankfurt, talked to the people instrumental in its existence and even told you when and where it will be produced, it still strikes us as odd to write about a four-door Porsche. It's coming, whether we're ready for it or not, and this latest sighting is evidence that the guys and gals in Stuttgart are hard at work.
The front-engine, rear-wheel drive, four-seater has been caught testing in a variety of guises, this, however, is the first time we've actually been given a taste of what the production car will look like. The front end screams Porsche design, with headlamps pulled straight from the concept and a front clip that is taking heavy cues from the Turbo and Cayman. Unfortunately, from the a-pillar on back, it's less noteworthy and more, well, unfinished.
Hopefully, if Porsche is still on schedule, we'll start seeing Panameras leaving their birthplace of Leipzig and heading to dealers late next year, ready to do battle with the Maserati Quattroporte and CLS55 AMG.
Thanks to Gary for the tip!
[Source: Caradisiac]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
poor old Porsche 2:10AM (9/14/2006)
That's the worst one yet. It makes the Cayman look good. It almost gives the Cayenne a run for its money.
Can Porsche survive this? They've lost all direction. All they have left is a lust for money.
This would presumably be an Audi A8 or Volkswagen Phaeton platform I guess? Maybe a Touareg/Cayenne?
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Andy 2:12AM (9/14/2006)
Not looking good at all.
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Jeff 2:30AM (9/14/2006)
That is hideous. I cannot think of one good thing to say about it.
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Joel 12:04PM (9/14/2006)
A shape only a Citroen SM lover could appreciate!!!
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Ayaz 3:12AM (9/15/2006)
It has no respect on the road...
Pakcar
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Ayaz 3:12AM (9/15/2006)
It has no respect on the road...
Pakcar
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Grant Robertson 2:41AM (9/14/2006)
Ew. I need to wash my eyeballs.
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TP 2:43AM (9/14/2006)
I continue to fail to understand the market for goofy cars like this. Why would I want my family in a high-end performance car versus a robust, stable reliable family sedan? Am I really going to go attack the twisties at speed with Mom and Junior on board? And furthermore, if I have the money to blow on a high performance Porche family sedan, can I not afford a proper sports car in addition to a robust family sedan to meet both needs? Seriously, I presently have appropriate family cars and sports cars - why would I ever try to mix the two? If i did, I would fail on both fronts - and end up with something as awkward and ugly as the Porsche offering displayed in this posting. Certainly not for me... perhaps someone else loves it...
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Campisi 2:55AM (9/14/2006)
Long ago, I remember a common phrase from my father's repertoire of such things that he would utilize whenever something like this came along: "That thing is as weird as if Cadillac made a truck, or if Porsche made a sedan."
... Oh, wait.
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yob 3:08AM (9/14/2006)
First BMW, now Porsche. What the heck is in the water over there? Downhill they roll... Blech!
At least Audi has it's act together (for the most part)!
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dionysus 3:35AM (9/14/2006)
huh?
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Steve 3:14AM (9/14/2006)
I think it should be called the Dilution. And the cayman IS beautiful.
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hariwanna 1:07AM (9/15/2006)
Eagerly waiting for the Porsche minivan to round out the line!
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sam 12:10AM (9/15/2006)
anyonw who has driven any hardtop model 911 (GT3/GT2 specifically :-) ) will know porsche has not 'lost direction'.
they just have this habit of dabbling in wierd niche markets lately...
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DPC car videos 4:09AM (9/14/2006)
Looks weird in camo form, I am sure it will look good. A t least I hope.
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Some guy 4:26AM (9/14/2006)
Gross. Who was the lead designer, Homer Simpson?
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show cars 4:33AM (9/14/2006)
Woow. I can't say anything but only WOOOW!
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Rence 5:30AM (9/14/2006)
CLS55AMG screams badass, Quattroporte screams class, this screams clueless.. Though this is a covered-in-tape testvehicle, I really hope they can improve the looks of it. This just looks like a forced fit.
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Richard Warren 6:53AM (9/14/2006)
Key words: Test Mule
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Milos 5:56AM (9/14/2006)
no, god, no....
everything from the a pillar afterwards is uninspiring, borring, fat, and it makes panamera look just like an ugly and stretched 911,not unique.
Porsche, don't believe people which are saying that Cayene is fine looking....:)
be braver. BMW is not the champion of style either, but at least they are more brave
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