Monterey 2009: Porsche Panamera makes North American debut
2010 Porsche Panamera – Click above for high-res image gallery
You might have guessed that Porsche was one of the official sponsors of Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center this year by all of the Panameras (Panamerae?) on hand. Although we've already sampled Stuttgart's Quattroporte-competitor in Germany, we got a chance to see and sit in some U.S. versions on American soil for the first time here in Monterey. About a half dozen of them were scattered around the Jet Center, turbos and non-turbos alike. While not the most beautiful cars at the show by a long shot, they certainly attracted a a lot of attention.
To be honest, we were surprised by how many people seemed to love the styling. It was mostly the women, believe it or not, who could be overheard saying how stylish the car was, and more than a few mentioned the Mercedes CLS and Quattroporte when they discussed its looks. Admirers mentioned the clever hatchback and all of the space it provided for luggage. It was the interior, though that seemed to generate the most favorable responses. Roomy and luxurious, with quality details all around, the only negatives we heard were about the number of switches on the center console.
We'll have some driving impressions to add later in the week, but for now, enjoy our gallery from Gordon McCall's Motorworks Revival at The Monterey Jet Center.
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips, Frank Filipponio / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
nuggetsmcduggets 3:34PM (8/13/2009)
Hey Panamera, the 70's called, they want their color back. Zing! Ohhhhh....
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ronzo 3:39PM (8/13/2009)
ew
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Sam Adams Rep 3:41PM (8/13/2009)
Luckily the Monterey event is right next to the ocean. Kindly push this abortion over the cliff.
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O.Z.Racing_UK 3:42PM (8/13/2009)
I still don't like it. Why oh why did porsche make a car this ugly? Just look at how good looking they made the new 911 Turbo facelift, then this arrives. It looks no where near as good as its rivals, the CLS and the upcomming AM Rapide.
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Ligor 4:50PM (8/13/2009)
a brown turd
although that only holds true for this cars looks, as I bet performace will not be rivial by the CLS or the AM Rapide
Larry in Miami 8:55AM (8/14/2009)
because almost all Porsches are ugly.
Toy Yoda 3:43PM (8/13/2009)
Sewage color.
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Shiftright 4:12PM (8/14/2009)
Turd brown is appropriate...
Sam 3:44PM (8/13/2009)
That's a better photoshop.
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john09williams 3:49PM (8/13/2009)
This is a terribly ugly car. I actually like the color, but not the car. I don't even want to know how it drives because I don't care. I imagine the only people who will consider it are Porsche fanboys who would buy anything the company put out, including the other bad idea named Cayenne.
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John P. 3:50PM (8/13/2009)
hmm, almost hate to say it, but the design is growing on me. It's actually starting to look good in it's own quirky way. Looks better in brown than that blue also.
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futurama 4:46PM (8/13/2009)
I also wasn't a big fan when I saw the pictures.. but I was up close and personal with the car last weekend up in Monterey last weekend with the Panamera, and I have to say.. it does look A LOT BETTER in person than in photos. Its sheer size will surprise you as well. Interior is really gorgeous with all the rich materials Porsche adorned with. Great details and subtle design touches. But yes.. little too many buttons, which add that much more details making it look more interesting and expensive. It surely is not too ergonomic though...
Jared 4:49PM (8/13/2009)
It's growing on me, too. But the trunk space looks pitiful for an executive barge.
John P. 4:53PM (8/13/2009)
futurama, just an observation, but you are so right about seeing some cars in person. I recently saw an SHO Taurus that looked way nicer in person than in pics, to me anyway.
I think Porsche may actually have a winner here. I like it more than the cayenne that's for sure.
j 5:54PM (8/13/2009)
I think that you have to learn to like it, and once you get there, it makes every other car seem pedestrian in comparison.
Alex Hobbs 6:50PM (8/13/2009)
I really like it now too, its different and stylish and I think its going to be a big hit for Porsche.
Brown is also making a comeback, saw it on the new Venza and loved it suprisingly. Looking forward to seeing more brown cars
Fernando 3:54PM (8/13/2009)
Um we saw a parade of 5 of them back in April in Vegas. I guess that didn't count as a debut.
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Mike Lee 3:58PM (8/13/2009)
Fitting that the lead photo car is BROWN since that's the color of a turd(!)
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risk 3:58PM (8/13/2009)
what is this ugly thing doing here? take it back :/
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ben 4:35PM (8/13/2009)
i was thinking the same thing...send it back!