The reviews are coming out daily. Jeremy Clarksons take:

"....And this brings me on to the Porsche Panacea, which sits in the mix like an apple core on a birthday cake. It seems to have no purpose at all.
I understand, of course, why Porsche chose to build a four-door saloon. It’s the same reason Lamborghini started work on such a thing, and Aston Martin too. These are small companies and it makes economic sense to squeeze as many models as possible from every component. You have the engine. You have the chassis. And you have a lot of people who won’t buy anything you make because they want four doors.
The trouble is, while Lamborghini and Aston Martin clearly employ talented stylists to ensure an elongated, widened four-seat variation on a two-seater theme does not end up looking like a supermodel who’s gone to fat, Porsche plainly gave the job to a janitor.
I actually wonder sometimes whether Porsche employs a stylist at all. Plainly, it had some bloke back in the Thirties, when Hitler created the ancestor of the 911, and it had someone else in the Seventies and Eighties, when it was making the wondrous 928 (the 944 wasn’t bad either), but today, God knows who’s in charge. Someone who, I suspect, has never been to art school.
The original design for the Boxster was exquisite but then someone obviously said: “Instead of making this, why don’t we make the actual car we sell look like that pushmi-pullyu thing from Doctor Dolittle?”
Then there’s the Gayman, which is simply hideous, and don’t even get me started on the Cayenne. No, do get me started. What were they thinking of? I understand the reasoning behind that 911-style nose, but did no one stop and think: “Hang on. Putting a 911’s face on the front of a truck is the same as putting Keira Knightley’s phizog on the front of Brian Blessed. The end result is going to look absurd”? And it does.
The Cayenne is one of the few cars that look better when a footballer has added 39in wheels, spoilers and wings. Because the bling detracts from the hopeless starting point.
The Panamera, though, is worse. People have tried to be kind, saying that it’s challenging and that it’s unusual. But the simple fact of the matter is this: it’s as ugly as an inside-out monkey. It’s dreadful. Part Austin Maxi, it looks like someone with no talent at all was trying to describe what they wanted to a blind person, over the phone."

 

as if someone expected something different from Mr Clarkson. someone who thinks the 911 has no soul and delivers no emotions....
on the other hand, he is doing a great job of keeping it in the spotlight by doing this. any news is good news...

 

They're are many others but Jeremy has the best humor about it. He does dislike the 911. His comment regarding its sitting out in the garage planning on how its going to kill you is very funny. I've used that line many times regarding my 73 which I adore. There is a lot of truth to it as well as his comments regarding the Panam. I do disagree that any press is good. In the auto industry that clique has proven incorrect. If an automobile is well received it will keep itself in the spotlight. Sales are below expected for intro. Surely not because of price or performance. Now the 928? I'm sure all will be quite different. It is very attractive in the photos.

 

is this from the magazine, or on youtube? He is funny.

 

When will the 928 goes into production?

 

I saw Jeremys writeup on a site called "Timesonline". Some UK thing. Regarding the 928: I hope its soon. If this is anything like the original was, plus looking this good. I need a car with a small back seat. Just for emergency but not large enough to haul everyone to dinner. They can all ride together in someone elses Panamera. I'll take the 928 and meet them at the restaurant. Don't you think?

 

I've never liked Clarkson's review, although I won't disagree with him on the design not being aesthetically pleasing.

 

For the first time in my life, I agree with him.

 

It is dead ugly, but the interior is almost Bentley quality and the Pan Turbo is by far the fastest sedan on the planet right now.

 

Not exactly. Until a tuner works over the Panam the fastest 1/4 belongs to the Cad cts-v700. Same 1/4 time but through the trap at 128 mph. [vs pan @ 119] But its a Caddy.

 

Oh I meant factory stock, the CTS-V may very well be my next car so I know its talents well! The V700 would slap around a Pan Turbo like a red head stepchild! I just can't believe the launch provided by launch control and the PDK transmission!

 

I think that is a pretty good plan. Maybe I will rethink my “people mobile”.

 

The cts-v700 will also be a hit in Germany where its pretty exotic piece. They love American muscle. The car is sickk! Also expect it to whip the pants off that red headed kid on the 'Ring when they get the suspension tuned.

 

The cts-v700 will also be a hit in Germany where its pretty exotic piece
They love American muscle...

i am lmao over here (in germany)

 

Where abouts? So you know what I mean about the american iron. A Mustang on the Autobaun or a street in Heidelberg looks so nasty compared to the same car on the US ground. Its wierd. Geography has so much to do with a cars cool factor. Saw a right hand drive STS with UK plates in San Francisco a few months back. I totally wanted it. Whats that all about?