Spy Shots: Panamera mule close-ups... still looks... hmmm...
by Jonathon Ramsey on Oct 28th 2008 at 9:30AM 
At last count, there were 13 Porsche Panameras winding their way up and down San Francisco streets. We don't know what could be so challenging in the city by the bay that Porsche would take a huge mule fleet to a crowded city center, but needless to say there have been a lot of pictures taken. This particular lensman was even able to spend enough close up time with a curbside model that he got tire sizes (F: 255/40 R20, R: 285/40 R20), a description of the dash, and pictures of the ceramic brakes. We won't even say anything about how the car looks. Have a look at the 15 shots for yourself and see if you feel any differently about it. Thanks to everyone who sent in tips![Source: Roadfly]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sharone 9:54AM (10/28/2008)
This car will be one of the biggest flops in automotive history.
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TigerMil 9:55AM (10/28/2008)
Yeah, like the Cayenne.
Josiah 10:09AM (10/28/2008)
"Yeah, like the Cayenne."
Thank you for that. The success of the Cayenne bankrolled both the perfect Cayman and this (visually challenged) car. Recent times have been good for Porsche.
And let's face it, this sedan is going to perform well regardless of it's look.
Josh 10:58AM (10/28/2008)
Bag full of ugly this car is...
2004m3driver 2:24PM (10/28/2008)
Well to be fair, Porsche is stepping into much more contested territory with this than the Cayenne. Porsche only had to worry about what? super charged Range Rovers and AMG G wagons. Now they are into CTS V, M5, Quarttroporte, S65, Rapide, ETC.... Territory.
TigerMil 9:55AM (10/28/2008)
Wow...roadfly.com server is locked up.
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Greg 9:59AM (10/28/2008)
I was next to one on 287 in NY this weekend. Really didn't look too bad. EVERYTHING was taped up. Big bump in the hood (forced induction?) Back wasn't necessarily fake, but was certainly not production quality components.
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Greg 12:31PM (10/28/2008)
Crummy iPhone pics, but best I could do while in traffic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8991071@N03/2981882736/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8991071@N03/2981025667/
Maybe it just looks better in black?
Mobius_1 3:18PM (10/28/2008)
I think it looks best taped up...
Although my final judgement is still reserved for the big auto show review, I haven't got my hopes up too high, the way the spyshots are coming...
StarkRavingMad 10:05AM (10/28/2008)
I'll buy one... seriously. At least it'll be better than the stupid V6 cayenne that I'm currently driving.
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Josiah 10:10AM (10/28/2008)
There's a tiny violin playing for you somewhere.
Tim 10:35AM (10/28/2008)
Horrendous reliability, and gas Mileage and depreciation. I hope above finds a way to recoup some of that 80k back.
Coffee Jones 11:54AM (10/28/2008)
The V6 Cayenne starts at $44k.
It's kind of sad to think that when someone says "I drive a Porsche"
you expect an well loved aircooled money-pit 911, but here is this totally non-exclusive warmed over Toureg. Cheaper than a base Boxster, even.
The Cayenne Turbo is a thing unto itself. Drilled rotors on an SUV! It's probably what Porsche had in mind when they thought their SUV up.
PaulPaul 10:11AM (10/28/2008)
i still have hopes that they are doing this on purpose and underneath all that ugly is a nice looking sedan.... right?
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Tim 10:33AM (10/28/2008)
Despite the tendency for any owner of a LV bag to be inexplicably drawn to Porsche I am predicting this will be a flop.
Cayenne sales are tanking due to an aged design, poor fuel economy and horrendous reliability.
Problem with the Panamera is that it looks like some ape-child of a Porsche. Also the Panamera & Cayenne have no racing pedigree. We all know that Porsche drivers cherish racing pedigree almost as much as their LV bags
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Mr. Wiggles 10:56AM (10/28/2008)
I actually saw a convoy of these mules on I80 East of Reno on Saturday. Actually seeing them in the flesh at highway speeds caused me to appreciate them much more - they looked good, even.
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Gavin 11:09AM (10/28/2008)
I was in San Francisco last week and saw two separate Panamera's on two occaisions driving around the city, both disguised. It was a thrill to see them and it didn't look as bad as I'd expected...I took a couple of shots of them too. Not perfect, but here they are:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27361359@N07/?saved=1
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ckm 2:14PM (10/28/2008)
It's interesting. All of the photos taken in San Francisco are in touristy areas where there is little or no reason to drive. It fact, you have to go out of your way to get to them.
That, and the fact they have 12 of them, suggests that this is part of a grassroots marketing campaign to get buzz going about the car through citizen-journo pics....
Adam 11:17AM (10/28/2008)
I love it...have from the beginning. I didn't think I could love something more than the Cayenne...but this one may be it. Porsche can do no wrong!
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Duders 9:28PM (10/29/2008)
obvious troll lol