The Porsche Panamera has been caught testing in Stuttgart and on the 'Ring for some time, and now you can add the Arctic Circle to the list. The forthcoming sedan is undergoing cold weather testing in one of the world's most most inhospitable places in an effort to ensure the family man's Porsche's engine will still purr even on your worst winter morning. The car's appearance looks essentially the same as it has prior spy shots, which is to say that it's still ugly, yet it's still A Porsche. With possible plans for a diesel, hybrid, V6, V8, and turbo V8 model on the table, the German automaker will likely be hanging out with Santa and Frosty for quite a while. Hit the jump to see the V8-powered Panamera as it traverses the white stuff.
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
tankd0g @ Jul 5th 2008 10:12AM
Good place for it, polar bears probably won't judge it's looks.
MGBYG @ Jul 5th 2008 12:01PM
Looks like a breeding of a 911 and a bear...and I mean a Castro District bear. Thick, gaudy, and ungainly.
And speaking of bears, did they really mean to make it look like it was rear-engined?
Andrew @ Jul 5th 2008 12:14PM
What polar bears!? There is no such place as the "Arctic circle". It's either in Norway or Sweden - and we don't have polar bears (just normal brown bears).
JZeke @ Jul 5th 2008 1:03PM
Only a malicious, short-sighted twink would say such a thing.
I think bears and 911s are handsome. The Panamera might not win beauty contests but I think it will positively surprise in the final execution.
The kickup at the C-pillar reminds of the Lamborghini Espada's. I wonder if a redux of that Gran Turismo could be in the cards based off this?
Michael @ Jul 5th 2008 10:16AM
I think it looks great. Don't know what all the hate's about.
Fd3rsrz @ Jul 5th 2008 10:51AM
Thank you!!! I also like it and can't understand why people are so adverse to it. I'm sure there will be some tweaks before it hits the showroom floor but as it stands now, i like it and I think it will sell better then most people think.
Kitko @ Jul 5th 2008 10:53AM
Exactly, it has the looks of a Proper Porsche, front and back, unlike "ugly-as-sin" Cyanide, sorry, Cayenne.
Soul Shinobi @ Jul 5th 2008 11:24AM
It caught me totally off guard, but I must say I think it looks good!
Brooks @ Jul 5th 2008 1:13PM
Kitko, you nailed it. This is a classic Porsche from the windsheild forward and the rear wheels back. Unfortunately, it's a 1994 Nissan Maxima between those two.
2004m3driver @ Jul 5th 2008 5:43PM
Nah I still think you guys are nuts. I will give you the fact that yes it does have some classic Porsche lines in it, but it is missing one thing and that is SIZE. its not small and it has 2 extra doors. It looks like a giant Porsche. This tarnishes the brand for me. Because when I think of a nice sporty coupe with classic timeless style I think porsche. Now it just seems like any other company with high price products trying to just sell its brand instead of building it up. They better make their Carrera 4s fast as the GTR to redeem themselves.
iSpec @ Jul 5th 2008 10:54AM
Passionate pursuits, which Porsche is inarguably famoes for, often bring forth passionate responses. Unfortunately, Porsche will miss the mark in the styling dept. on this one. This WILL be judged by the majority in a negative way. All they need to do as raise the wing and put boyish blue racing stripes and the disaster will be complete. Oh and neon lights under the rocker panels.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 5th 2008 11:54AM
Oh. That's a great way to put it. Let me try it. Chris Bangle isn't a hack, he's passionate.
John Doe @ Jul 5th 2008 9:52PM
LS2, you never have anything positive to add, do you?
Giuseppe @ Jul 5th 2008 11:43AM
I must admit i don't find it ugly
Avinash machado @ Jul 5th 2008 11:46AM
Why does Porsche need a sedan considering they own a sizable chunk of VW? So many premium sedans there like Audi A8 and Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jul 5th 2008 11:56AM
Because shareholders don't value owning a good company, they only value growth. You can make the best stuff in the world, and if you aren't making more of it, you're trash to shareholders.
But, if you raise the stock value, you're considered a genius, at least for a while. Even though you might be hurting the company long-term or sowing the seeds of destruction for it. See Jaguar, or more generally see Sunbeam or GE.
halogenrepublic @ Jul 5th 2008 11:54AM
Infiniti G35 sedan?
blee @ Jul 5th 2008 12:03PM
Porsche has yet to create a good looking car
Neil @ Jul 5th 2008 12:10PM
Just looks big and rather ungainly to me, I'd rather buy a Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG than this thing....not that I can afford either the Benz or this Porsche. :P
Cameron @ Jul 5th 2008 3:39PM
+1. I'll take mine in black.