Autoblog

Porsche announces Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition in Qatar

Noah Joseph — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows, Middle East, Luxury

It may be a tough sell to automotive executives to roll out a special edition to cater specifically to one market. Unless of course that one market has copious amounts of money to spend, and little in the way of demands in return for it beyond an added dose of exclusivity.

Rolls-Royce has done it time and time again with special editions exclusive to the Middle East. Porsche has until now resisted, opting to cash in on its name instead by expanding outside its traditional area of sportscars into the SUV and sedan markets. But the temptation has evidently proven too much as Zuffenhausen has reportedly announced a special edition Panamera at the Qatar Motor Show.

The Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition packs the same 4.8-liter V8 engine and PDK dual-clutch gearbox as the standard 4S and comes equipped with the Sport Chrono Plus package as standard. What sets it apart is the Carrera White exterior tint, red leather interior and special black alloys. That, and a little plaque on the door sill. Only 66 examples will be made exclusively for the Middle East (read: Persian Gulf) - you can bet they'll fetch a hefty premium, and that they'll sell out almost as soon as the order books are opened.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S

[Source: AMEinfo.com]

Porsche announces Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition in Qatar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche rolls out new Panamera personalization program, includes 40-hp boost for Turbo

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Porsche

Porsche Panamera Personalization Program - Click above for high-res image gallery

Anyone familiar with Porsche's options catalog knows that a nearly endless list of custom extras are available for the automaker's entire model range. However, Porsche is now offering something extra special for customers of its new four-door sedan. Dubbed the Porsche Panamera personalization program - try saying that three times fast - the PPPP incorporates styling and performance tweaks, depending on your taste (and budget).

The top-rung Panamera Turbo can now be had with a Powerkit package that uses two new turbochargers and revised engine mapping to offer 40 more horsepower and 37 more pound-feet of torque over the standard Turbo, totaling 540 and 553, respectively. What's more, the Powerkit treatment includes Porsche's Sport Chrono Turbo Package, and if the car is driven in Sport Plus mode, torque output is further increased to 590 lb-ft. That's a whole lot of twist. This Holy Grail of Panameras will sprint to 62 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 190 mph, yet it still manages to keep the Turbo's EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 15/23 miles per gallon.

Available on the full Panamera range, however, is the Porsche's new Sport Design Package which includes a unique front fascia with wider air intakes, a new rear underbody apron incorporating a new diffuser and fins, different side skirts and 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels available in a range of colors. It certainly does a lot to beef up the sedan's appearance, and we're quite fond of the overall treatment.

In true Porsche fashion, these upgrades do come at quite a cost. The Panamera Turbo Powerkit retails for $21,730 (or, you know, the cost of a well-equipped Mazda3), and the Sport Design collection will set you back an additional $4,590. It's a pretty penny to pay for some added exclusivity, but for people in the Porsche-buying tax bracket, it's probably more affordable than you think. Hit the jump for the full details in Porsche's release and check out the highlights in our high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Porsche Panamera Personalization Program

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Porsche rolls out new Panamera personalization program, includes 40-hp boost for Turbo

Porsche rolls out new Panamera personalization program, includes 40-hp boost for Turbo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Regrets, I've Had a Few: Jonny Lieberman bids farewell to Autoblog

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs

A little over a month ago, I got a call from Jonny. Something was up. He was excited and anxious, and before the words "MacKenzie offered me a job, and I've accepted" came out of his mouth, I knew he was off to greener pastures.

I'm proud of a lot of things at Autoblog, but getting Dr. Lieberman on board is near the top of that list. And now he's gone, taking the Senior Editor position at Motor Trend after the buff book's editor-in-chief called and said, "We need to talk." Plenty of people have moved on from Autoblog over the years, but given Jonny's penchant for prose and never-say-die attitude, we asked him to pen a farewell letter before heading off to do some ludicrous comparison test for MT. You'll be missed, sir, so the floor is yours... one last time.

Damon Lavrinc - Senior Editor

Working at Autoblog has been one of the best experiences of my car-writing career. As you may or may not know, if there's a website about cars, odds are it's hoisted my byline at some point. From The Truth About Cars to Jalopnik to Clunkbucket and most points in between, I've cranked out some auto-centric virtual ink nearly everywhere. But Autoblog was the feather in my digital cap. No car website commands more respect, is more widely read or opens as many doors. And yeah, a pretty big door just got opened for me.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the wonderful men behind the screen. I've worked at some sites filled with mega-friendly people that weren't capable of pouring piss from a boot. Other places were hyper-competent and staffed almost totally with assholes. Autoblog combined near-ruthless professionalism with the kind of positive working environment you only dream about in any job. It really is a wonderful operation, one that sent me Japanese whiskey as a wedding gift. Thanks to Damon Lavrinc for always being in my corner and John Neff for not only giving me the chance, but for running such a tight ship. I'd like to thank especially Drew Phillips, "my photographer," for putting up with my right foot on all those canyon runs.

But of course, it's not all roses and sunshine. There are quite a few things I regret. In true Butthole Surfers fashion, allow me to quote, "Well son, the funny thing about regret is, it's better to regret something you have done, than to regret something you haven't done." Sadly, while there's nothing I regret doing at Autoblog (well, maybe SEMA), there's a whole slew of things I regret not doing. With that in mind, here's a small list of stuff that for one reason (lazy!) or another (extra lazy!) I never got around to sharing. Read on...

Continue reading Regrets, I've Had a Few: Jonny Lieberman bids farewell to Autoblog

Regrets, I've Had a Few: Jonny Lieberman bids farewell to Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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My Big Fat Porsche Panamera 4S Wedding

Jonny Lieberman — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Porsche, Luxury

Porsche Panamera Wedding - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are many hidden perks to being an automotive journalist. These include never having to worry about upper tax brackets, free clothing your significant other will only let you wear over their dead body and a really nice press car when you get married. Chalk it up to a combination of professional courtesy and something borrowed. In this case something blue, too. Fittingly, Porsche somehow became convinced that Yours Truly needed something special to take the plunge in: a 2010 Yachting Blue Panamera 4S. After close to 2,000 miles and 12 days of driving, I feel confident in making the assessment that if your wedding involves lots of miles and loads of stuff and just the two of you, there is no better car. And I'm not just saying that as a thank you card to Porsche. Seriously, I'm not. Make the jump to learn why the Panamera 4S is the ultimate wedding machine.

Gallery: Porsche Panamera Wedding

Continue reading My Big Fat Porsche Panamera 4S Wedding

My Big Fat Porsche Panamera 4S Wedding originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: More Porsche Panamera pics surface

Alex Nunez — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Porsche

Click above higih-res image gallery of the Porsche Panamera

Thanks for the heads-up to our friends at Supercars.net, where a forum poster has uploaded more official shots of the Porsche Panamera (apparently lifted from Autoweek.nl) ahead of its official reveal extravaganza scheduled for Monday. The first photo and technical details trickled out last night, and the new batch gives you a better view of the car's controversial rump, which is already polarizing enthusiasts the world over. It's not so much that we think a round booty is a bad thing -- it's just that Porsche has done it better before. Or have you guys already forgotten about the awesomeness that's spelled 9-2-8? Anyway. Have a look at the gallery, and stand by for more on Monday (or whenever the next group of pics gets leaked).

Gallery: Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo

[Source: Supercars.net]

BREAKING: More Porsche Panamera pics surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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