Autoblog

Porsche confirms Sport Turismo styling cues for rest of lineup

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Porsche, Design/Style

Whether or not it's ever going to be built, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept sounds like it will be playing a pivotal role in upcoming Porsche products. Following the car's debut at the Paris Motor Show, Motor Trend sat down with Porsche AG President and CEO, Matthias Müller, to discuss where we might see elements from this stylish concept car in the future.

For those who liked the styling of the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept (and who wouldn't?) Müller said that the car's headlights and taillights will become part of the new design language on all future models. The taillights already pull from the 991 Porsche 911 and the headlights are very Boxster-like, but starting with the new Porsche Macan compact SUV, these two styling cues will be blended together to help create a new signature look for the brand. Up until now, Porsche has been trying to mimic the 911's styling on bigger cars, and while this idea seemed to work on the Cayenne, the Panamera's design has made it a controversial car to say the least.

One of the concept's key features was its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and Müller confirmed that this system will make it into production next year on the Panamera (including in the U.S.) and then the following year for the Cayenne. He also stated that premium and "huge" cars are not quite ready for full battery-electric drive systems, so Porsche will continue to focus on plug-in hybrids over the next five to 10 years to balance fuel economy and performance.

Be sure to check out the full M/T interview with Müller and Detlev von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, for more juicy info on future Porsche models, including some talk on the 918 hybrid supercar.

Porsche confirms Sport Turismo styling cues for rest of lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche Panamera wagon concept is real, looks better than five-door [UPDATE]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:07:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Porsche, Design/Style, Luxury

With the 2012 Paris Motor Show kicking off tomorrow, Porsche has already dropped what could be the biggest bombshell of the show with this Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept. Aside from giving the polarizing Panamera five-door hatchback much sexier lines, this long-rumored cargo-friendly concept obviously has the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake dead in its sights.

Judging by these leaked pictures, the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept is somewhat of a hodgepodge of current Porsche models, looking like a chopped Cayenne with headlights similar to those of the new Boxster and taillamps derived from the 911. While the rump of the current Panamera is, by far, the car's most controversial design element, the Sport Turismo Concept puts that all to sleep finishing off this car with an exclamation point. This concept car probably also foretells a refreshed face that could be on the way for the three-year-old Panamera as well as an updated cabin that might actually do away with the overabundance of buttons in favor of some high-tech gadgetry.

We can't help but daydream about a production Panamera Sport Turismo in Turbo form, but the Concept is propelled by a plug-in hybrid powertrain wearing the "e-Hybrid" designation. Details are scarce about this system, but it looks like it will add a trunk-mounted battery pack and a single drive motor to the rear axle of the rear-wheel-drive V6 Panamera.

We will definitely have more information and images for you in the next couple days, so stay tuned to learn (and see) more of this new exciting Porsche concept.

UPDATE: Porsche has released official details and more images of the Panamera Sport Turismo concept. Check out our gallery for what's new and scroll below for the official press release from Porsche.

Continue reading Porsche Panamera wagon concept is real, looks better than five-door [UPDATE]

Porsche Panamera wagon concept is real, looks better than five-door [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche bringing Panamera wagon concept to the Paris Motor Show

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Wagon, Paris Motor Show, Porsche, Luxury

Ask an automaker what buyers say they want from the next generation of a certain vehicle, and one of the answers will almost certainly be "More room." Porsche Panamera buyers are no different, having done enough clamoring for additional cargo space that Porsche sees reason to at least test the idea. Last month there were rumors of such, Automotive News has now confirmed that a concept will be arriving at the Paris Motor Show and be used to judge reaction.

Of course, we'd been hoping that Panamera development would be focused in the other direction first, something in the two-door variety that would satisfy our hankerings for a new 928 GTS. We're happy to report that, also according to Auto News, work on that is progressing as well, but the potential wagon money and the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake have beckoned the Griswold's Vacation version to the plate first.

Should the wagon concept come to life it won't do so before 2016, and it will be part of the multitudinous plans being developed for the second-generation car on its more versatile platform. So far the possibilities include the aforementioned two-door and a four-seater convertible, a long-wheelbase version for China, and perhaps the wagon, with Bentley adding a new twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in the mix and platform cross-pollenization with the next Bentley GT and GTC. We'll have more information from the Paris Motor Show floor.

Porsche bringing Panamera wagon concept to the Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche planning Panamera Shooting Brake, McLaren mulling one, too

Zach Bowman — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Porsche, UK, Rumormill, Luxury

Wagon fever long ago caught on in Europe, but the fervor may be set to reach new heights. Porsche and McLaren are reportedly working on new long-roof versions of their Panamera and MP4-12C models, both evidently inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake. Autobild reports Porsche may pull the wraps off a new wagon version of the Panamera at the Paris Motor Show this October. We're a little confused by the move, as the current model already offers plenty of cargo capacity and rear seat room, but we suppose that hasn't stopped manufacturers from spinning off multiple load-lugging bodystyles from the same model before. Autobild says a production version of the Panamera Shooting Brake could bow with the next-generation of the four-door in 2015, depending on how well the CLS Shooting Brake sells.

Meanwhile, website GTSpirit.com is piling on an earlier AutoExpress report that McLaren may be interested in giving the Ferrari FF a run for its money. Rumors indicate a MP4-12C Shooting Brake would still get power from the same turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 found in the Coupe and new Spider model. With 592 horsepower on hand, the hatch could click off the 0-62 mph run in around three seconds. What we're most interested in with this mooted model is packaging - the MP4-12C is a rear mid-engined design, suggesting packaging rear seats or cargo area would be a difficult enterprise. Word has it the machine could arrive as soon as 2013, though that seems unlikely. If that were the case, odds are our spy shooters would have already spotted test mules out and about.

Porsche planning Panamera Shooting Brake, McLaren mulling one, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

If the Porsche Panamera were a wagon, would it be any sweeter?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Porsche, Design/Style

Last week, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn reportedly mooted three new Porsches to fill out the line: something beneath the Boxster, a "baby Cayenne," and a Panamera variant. When it comes to that last model, the consensus among Autoblog commenters seems to be "Give us a new 928 or 944!"

But what if instead of a coupe, we were to get a Panamera wagon? A forum member over at Teamspeed has Photoshopped what such at thing would look like, and the results are... well, have a look and decide for yourself. It would be roomy and it would most likely sell (overseas, at least), yet even though it's not the worst looker, we'd still prefer a new 928 GTS.

[Source: Theophilus Chin]

If the Porsche Panamera were a wagon, would it be any sweeter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments