Click image for photo gallery
Kudos to Autoblog reader and opportunistic spy photographer Herschel Brown, who snagged this green Panamera mule cruising the 405 Freeway near Carson, CA early yesterday morning. The car itself is just like some of the others we've seen before, but Herschel grabs a couple of really good looks at the side glass, which hints at the actual slope of the rear of the car. Porsche has done a good job of uglifying these Panamera mules from the B-pillar rearward in the hopes of keeping the car's true shape a secret for as long as it can. In any case, very nice catch, Herschel, and thanks for sharing the pics with us!
All Photos ©2007 Herschel Brown. Used with permission.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vetter @ Jun 24th 2007 5:21PM
Nice job Herschel with the spy shots!
fcrooney @ Jun 25th 2007 2:34PM
2 words porsche citroen
JC3 @ Jun 24th 2007 5:33PM
First impression...Looks bigger than I thought it would be.Maybe too big.
jg @ Jun 24th 2007 5:49PM
Looks like someone's trying to build a stretch 911 limo.
Jeff @ Jun 24th 2007 11:54PM
I agree with this 100%. If the production model resembles this mule closely, then Porsche's sedan - a no-brainer as a business proposition, IMHO - is likely to have a hard time.
MikeUF @ Jun 24th 2007 5:51PM
Im not yet a fan, but that could change when the cammo comes off. Herschel what are you driving?
geo.stewart @ Jun 24th 2007 6:52PM
bimmer
Jason @ Jun 24th 2007 5:57PM
Herschel has himself a 5-series from my guess. And that Porsche is awful looking. I hope for their sake there are improvements still to be made.
SHOTT3R @ Jun 24th 2007 6:04PM
Porsche is really tempting fate with this car. I seriously think this might be their jump the shark moment.
Dan @ Jun 24th 2007 7:14PM
I thought that moment was the 914? And the 924? And the 944? And the NEW 911? And...
Anyhow it looks like a Cayman but flattened. Big surprise. I'm interested to see how gauche the spoiler comes out.
ruggels @ Jun 24th 2007 6:04PM
Awe man, I can always trust autoblog for some sunday humor; judging a pre production car's aesthetics from a heavily disguised mule, priceless.
Jason @ Jun 24th 2007 7:59PM
I realize this car is far from finished, but the overall proportions and hideous shape leave much to be desired. I won't even talk about the spoiler for now. Can you honestly say this car has more appeal than a Rapide, Quattroporte, or even a CLS63?
William @ Jun 24th 2007 6:11PM
Jason, funny you mention it. I just wrote up an article on this news item and I took a shot at what car Herschel was driving. It's the 330i. The C-pillar kink is there, but notice the reflections on the Panamera in the 3rd and 4th shots and you can see the 330i wheels faintly.
Nonetheless, kudos to Herschel and Autoblog on this one. I never would have expected a Panamera roaming around in California.
William L.
Editor-in-Chief of TheCarBlogger
Herschel @ Jun 24th 2007 8:25PM
Hi William-
Good call, it's a 330i that I picked up via Euro Delivery December of 05. I was on my way to a golf game and almost lost it for a minute, same green mule I had seen on World Car Fans months before. I have made it a habit to carry my camera in my car at all times as that's inevitably where I see interesting stuff.
Glad I could snap them and share. It's going to be uniquely Porsche when it's finally shown and I think that's a good thing.
Herschel
ZOG @ Jun 24th 2007 6:11PM
I saw this car too, pulling on to Interstate 10 in Ontario. At first glance I thought it was some horribly pimped and modified Honda, but as it drove past in the opposite direction I saw it was obviously a camouflaged prototype. Yes, it did seem pretty big, almost like some sort of chunky Quattroporte. Had my camera with me too but I only got a good look for about three seconds. Good reflexes on the shutter, Herschel B! Glad someone caught it.
Stephen @ Jun 24th 2007 7:24PM
If this isn't cheaper than the Quattroporte, then Porsche, we have a problem. A few years ago someone put the front clip from a Boxter on to some sort of compact station wagon. This doesn't look any better than that did.
mooj @ Jun 24th 2007 8:02PM
camo or not, there is only so much you can do with porsche's design language, with respect to building a large sedan. it just doesn't lend itself to the task. honestly, i'm going to be very surprised if that rear turns out to be acceptable, and an extension on porsche's general design heritage.
a porsche has rounded lines and a heavy, rounded rear, and that does not work for sedans. Aston Martin, on the other hand, has the perfect, straight lines that gave birth to the stunning Rapide. That was a natural development. The Panamera is not. I really want this to be an amazing car, but I cannot imagine a Porsche sedan.
If it does lose the visual heavyness of the rear, on the other hand, it will no longer look have the classic lines of a Porsche.
This isn't looking good, I must say.
vectorbug @ Jun 24th 2007 8:20PM
I HOPE THE CHECKER ISNT A STANDARD OPTION ITS SO UGLY
vectorbug @ Jun 24th 2007 8:23PM
Also, Porsche has my blessings for building a 4 door after the beauty that is the Carrera GT. Although they lost points with nurfing the Caymen (both entry level and S model), although they've gained points back with the GT3 RS (which is what, 5 seconds slower than a cup car?)
JC3 @ Jun 24th 2007 8:33PM
Question for Autobloggers...Did Porsche spend some serious $ on a new platform or has it got some VW donor parts (passat)?