I acknowledge that this is complete conjecture and opinion, but I personally believe that Porsche as a marque is synonymous with and owes the lion's share of its prestige to the 911. Had they replaced the rear engined 6 with the 928 as planned back in the 70s, things would be radically different today. [btw, BMW tried to replace their time honored 2 cylinder boxer motorcycle engine with a much smoother and more powerful 4 cylinder in the early 80s and that didn't work for the same reason - people often prize character in machinery over raw quantitative performance]. So the legend of the 911 continues, and I challenge anyone to suggest that the car has any true competitors. Name a rear engined sports car under $100k? What's my point. Porsche = performance because of one car that has no competition. (a car which I have and love btw)

Are they a modern manufacturer with decades of experience..Yes. Do they benefit from overlap with Audi/VW and building the Cayenne...Yes. But this is where their credentials as a mainstream car maker end.

Mercedes, BMW and Auto Union were the pistons (literally) that powered the German war machine in a socialist country with goals of world domination. Submarines, tractors, airplanes, cars, motorcycles. They made them all. I'm guessing that Mercedes could loose as much money in one quarter as porsche has ever made in their best year and not even miss it off the balance sheets. So why is this post on the Panamera board, because Porsche is no longer selling a sports car with no direct competitors. Its entering the most mainstream market - full sized sedans. Forget about how many g's its pulls on the skidpad, and instead answer me this question: When the Panamera is stuck in the middle of Vermont and I call roadside service, assuming I have a signal (whereas in the Benz/BMW/Audi/Lexus you simply push a telematics button) how far is the closest dealer? When you have an unfortunate accident 1 month after getting the car will the vehicle automatically alert the authorities and your designated emergency contact? And if you need a replacement airbag, how many months is it going to be held up at the body shop waiting on the part from the motherland? Porsche is the most profitable sports car company ever - seemingly because they spend relatively no money on developing post sale conveniences and technologies. I'm surprised this wasn'tmore of an issue with Cayenne owners...?

So the panamera may be a great drive, I'll find out soon. But as far as being your road partner in day-to-day life, I find it hard to believe that it can begin to compare with its competitors. As your 3rd, 4th or 5th car, etc... it may be the most compelling choice in the sedan segment, but since when has a sedan ever been deemed an impulse/discretionary purchase vehicle? This is intended to be your 1st car. In sum, without offering a more modern and comprehensive post-sale ownership experience, I think that the Panamera will never really be cross shopped, but instead will be the default 'blind' choice for existing porsche owners who want a sedan and those who drive the competition, but have always wanted a Porsche (911) or miss their old Porsche (911).

I know this post is critical, but all the press on the car focuses on the drive, appearance and price alone. And there is simply more to owning a sedan in 2010.

Good luck to Porsche with the car and sincere congratulations to those who have purchased it.


DRP

 

I have had 5 911's so far the latest being an '07 C2S Cab.
I have driven the Pan. Turbo and the 4S.
From the minute you sit it it you feel like you in a 911. The car is unbelievable in the way it handles. You have the performance of a 911 while sitting in a cabin with the room of a big Lexus.
Porsche has done it again and i am trading my911 for one.

 

That's a bold statement! I can't think of a better endorsement.

Good luck.

DRP

 

How many times are you going to post this?

This is a blatant sales promotion.

 

The car is simply beautiful.

 

wow, i haven't found too many people that like the panarema, but i wouldn't trade my c4s for a 4 door, unless i had kids, in this case i dont, so the panarema would stay in the dealership until i need a reason to buy one, until then i'll see you on the road with my top down......

 

And that is the exactly why they built it. If I didn't have a wife and 2-kids I'd have kept my Ruf, let alone my last 4-911TT's.

I saw the 4S in OKC yesterday. I think it's fine. It's growing on me. Once I drive it in a few days I'm sure it will be game over except I will want the turbo most likely, maybe not though, we'll see.

At least it's better looking than the GTR in my opinion. I still can't get my head around that car's looks.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the Cayenne, but I really like the GTS. I can't figure out why they waited so long before offering this level of tune which even the turbo doesn't get. There is talk of a Panamera GTS, which makes sense. I haven't driven in the car yet, but our sales associate indicated that the turbo is 200 lbs. heavier than a 4S. I'd love to see a sport edition rear wheel drive naturally aspirated.

Sometimes less is more.

 

I just read a thread over on Ren posted yesterday from a guy indicating he didn't like the turbo. He said it doesn't handle as well as the 4S due to the extra 250# difference up front. He claims it's not a subtle difference either. He drove both of them extensively the day before last. This isn't the first time I've heard this but it is the best explanation of what's most likely going on. Balance is such a critical issue. It seems they may have nailed it with the 4S. I'm going to drive them both next week and see. He also commented the 4S did lack the power during highway driving but would still not purchase the turbo to compensate due to the front end handling characteristics sacrificed to build the turbo.

A little tune on the 4S might just fit the bill perfectly

Yes the typical Porsche game holding back feeding us a little at a time... I like my '08TT way more than my '06TTS. It's pretty quick and, with PDCC, handles on rails...

 

Also, I'm a bit leery of purchasing the Panamera right now for three reasons:

1) Potential first year model issues especially from a ground up design.

2) The unknown depreciation especially in the economy we live in. Everything has been driven way down/devalued thanks to this crisis. You can buy Ruf vins, Lambos, Ferraris, etc, at unheard of prices right now. This will play a significant role in the way this car devalues whether we want it to or not.

3) The fact there is most likely a coupe being developed as we speak that will be 2nd generation, better looking, quicker due to weight issues, and initially far more aesthetically appealing to the masses that be. It may even end up being cheaper, who knows...

They will sell a lot of them it looks like but we'll know a lot more all around about 12-months from now.

 

drspeed - porsche has been around twice as long as the 911 so not sure what you are really saying in that post - not sure about the lost in the woods references either.

anyway - this car is what, 3,900 lbs - that is something that any deceased member of the Porsche family would understand and appreciate.