BREAKING PORSCHE NEWS: The Panamera Breaks Cover, Not At the LA Auto Show - But Here At AutoSpies.com

BREAKING PORSCHE NEWS: The Panamera Breaks Cover, Not At the LA Auto Show - But Here At AutoSpies.com
With all the news of all the new cars shown at the LA Auto Show this week, there was one participant absent from all the festivities.

Agent 001 and I were talking about the lack of the new Porsche Panamera, and the fact it wasn't present for public viewing.

Let's be honest here, the big 3 auto shows each year in the USA are the LA, Detroit and New York shows.  Los Angeles would be the perfect venue to premiere the Panamera as so many Porsche's are sold to people residing in Southern California.

Heck, Porsche pulled out of the Detroit show because SO FEW Porsche's are sold in Michigan.

So why was the Panamera missing?

We don't know why it is missing, but Agent 001 and I went on a quest to bring you what we believe to be the most up to date pictures of the Panamera available anywhere.

The markings appear to be production ready and offer a hint at the availability of both rear wheel and all wheel drive options as well as multiple engine options including a twin turbo V8 sourced from the Cayenne as the top dog in the Porsche lineup.

By far these are the most flattering of photos yet of the Panamera, and if your heart rate doesn't increase at least a little bit with the prospect of a true 4-door Porsche capable of keeping pace with the legendary 911, perhaps you stumbled upon the wrong website.

Weigh in and give us your opinion, on behalf of the spies here at AutoSpies.com, I am going to give this car 2 thumbs up.

While you won't find pictures of the Porsche Panamera here, be sure to check out the rest of the line-up from the LA Auto Show Gallery


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 11/22/2008 10:41:58 AM
+4 Boost
why?


EL34EL34 - 11/22/2008 11:42:01 AM
-5 Boost
Why, because Porsche clients from all over the world asked for it.

Isn't the Panamera a beauty?

:-\


EL34EL34 - 11/22/2008 11:44:21 AM
+2 Boost
BTW, the reason the Panamera wasn't released at the LA auto show is because it will be released at the Frankfurt or Paris auto shows.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 11/22/2008 1:49:22 PM
+6 Boost
we have a exotic limo service close to where i reside in chicago and this looks like one of their bastardizations. Good luck Porsche ... lol


009load009load - 11/22/2008 7:31:13 PM
+1 Boost
They designed and styled this car for the Speedo Wearin' Euros. THey think that the Americans will buy whatever they put out because of their name. X6 and Panamera.....come on.


B7FANB7FAN - 11/24/2008 8:59:49 AM
+1 Boost
I LOOKED UP A$$ IN THE DICTIONARY ONLINE AND IT SHOWED A PICTURE OF THIS.......THING????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


B7FANB7FAN - 11/24/2008 8:59:51 AM
0 Boost
I LOOKED UP A$$ IN THE DICTIONARY ONLINE AND IT SHOWED A PICTURE OF THIS.......THING????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


cdhzhpcdhzhp - 11/24/2008 11:50:18 AM
+3 Boost
What a great looking car all around. I have been waiting to see this thing for years.
Sincerely,
Pontiac Aztec


HSCenterconsoleHSCenterconsole - 11/22/2008 11:13:16 AM
+8 Boost
I don't know how I feel about it. I love it from the b-pillars forward and HATE it from the rear.


golfer38golfer38 - 11/22/2008 1:14:15 PM
+4 Boost
HS, I agree totally. It also needs some significant rims as well because the smaller split spoke rim in the picture of the side profile is just to small for this car.


dlindlin - 11/22/2008 11:15:59 AM
+14 Boost
Rear hatch on this car is a wrong decision.


Porschefan2Porschefan2 - 11/22/2008 11:16:27 AM
+13 Boost
This is butt-ugly. It will never sell, especially for the ridiculous amount of money they'll be charging for it. I Love Porsches. A LOT! you cant take a 911 front and rear end, stretch it and put two more doors and call it a winner. THis looks like something you'll see on Pimp my Ride, rather than form a company with the tradition of Porsche. This will be their "Pontiac Aztec"


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/24/2008 6:53:46 PM
+1 Boost
You think a 300hp six-cylinder sedan, or even a 400hp eight-cylinder sedan, will outperform the M5, E63 and RS6?

MAYBE the 500hp version will. But that's not even a given.


weaponXweaponX - 11/22/2008 11:20:03 AM
+5 Boost
On paper, a 911 with four doors seems to good to be true.

Having owned a couple of 911’s, there had been many times when I felt the need for room outweighed the need for speed.

I can imagine the performance of the Panamera would at the very least eclipse the current large supersedans like the BMW M5 and MB E63. It would also probably be easier to drive than the 911, benefitting from a more balanced weight distribution of a front engine car.

The only cons I can see is….well take a look at the pictures.



DetectiveBADetectiveBA - 11/22/2008 11:39:46 AM
+4 Boost
What is this? Come on Porsche, you REALLY want people to buy this? Fugly!


993Turbo993Turbo - 11/22/2008 12:32:43 PM
+7 Boost
Rear hatch is a BIG BOO BOO. I have said this from day one.


t_sotellot_sotello - 11/22/2008 12:36:38 PM
-1 Boost
porsches have no design at all. i hate how this car looks like any other porsche just stretched to add two more doors. Porsche just needs to stick to what they know how to do best.


DieselRulesDieselRules - 11/22/2008 2:17:18 PM
0 Boost
RE: stick to what they do best?
Borrow VW/Audi technology, out-source everything, and produce the world's most profitable line of production cars.
This is just more of the same formula, extended into a new market.
They ARE doing what they do best!


investor27investor27 - 11/22/2008 12:40:14 PM
+2 Boost
My wife says the back looks like a Chrysler! Yikes!


investor27investor27 - 11/25/2008 1:05:37 PM
+1 Boost
Kaner: I'll find you so that you can say that to my face.


mcdreamymcdreamy - 11/22/2008 12:40:50 PM
+7 Boost
This car looks like a hearse. it is unfathomably ugly. I LOVE Porsche, but this is simply unacceptable.


F1_DriverF1_Driver - 11/22/2008 12:58:38 PM
+11 Boost
And there you have it, the hunchback of Stuttgart!!!


JMB1013JMB1013 - 11/22/2008 1:06:59 PM
+9 Boost
It looks more like a wagon than a sedan or 4-door coupe. If this is a "4-door coupe" then so is a Dodge Magnum


dhkss2002dhkss2002 - 11/22/2008 1:25:18 PM
-1 Boost
If they ever make a New Wayne's world, they'll know where to look for the new Gremlin. Google Gremlin automobiles under images, No doubt the kraut lovers will go schwiiing!!!!!

Lolz.


IcebreakerIcebreaker - 11/22/2008 1:29:20 PM
0 Boost
Good job AutoSpies! Congrats on scooping these pics. Unbelievable work! Thank you.


maximafan1maximafan1 - 11/22/2008 1:30:46 PM
+4 Boost
i dont even know what to say......

it just looks awkward.

like something just doesnt look right......


laurentlaurent - 11/22/2008 1:40:59 PM
+7 Boost
It was much better with camouflage.


528i528i - 11/22/2008 1:50:24 PM
+1 Boost
no more than a 100k


gts_celicagts_celica - 11/22/2008 1:54:03 PM
+3 Boost
the front is bearable, but the rear is a no-no. i'll give it 2 years after production, and they'll scrap the project. or maybe I am wrong.


DaHarderDaHarder - 11/22/2008 2:10:29 PM
+12 Boost
This for all the world looks like little more than a bloated Porsche-ized rendition of the 1999 Volkswagen Concept D (which eventually became the Phaeton)

http://www.iceposter.com/posters/cars/Volkswagen/Volkswagen_Concept_D_1999/

I find this design about as creative/original as the time I witnessed a stretch Porsche 911 limo in Dubai, because - let's face it, that's really all the exterior design appears to be.

Extremely Unappealing IMO.


E36erE36er - 11/22/2008 2:14:23 PM
+1 Boost
Like I said, if you need Viagra you're buying this car.


Bmw8terBmw8ter - 11/22/2008 2:20:51 PM
-6 Boost
Everybody remembers the Aston Martin Lagonda right?

Need I say more.


AMGZING_fanboyAMGZING_fanboy - 11/22/2008 2:23:24 PM
+3 Boost
its too hatch-backish and wagonish, needed to be more coupe-ish....


DieselRulesDieselRules - 11/22/2008 2:30:19 PM
-5 Boost
The side shot is so-so, but I like the front-quarter and rear-quarter views. (I liked the Concept D too)

THIS CAR WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY and here's why:
For every dentist/doctor/lawyer/broker with a 911 who's been frustrated that his wife won't let them take his car shopping (because it won't hold dick) he now has a solution. He buys THIS car (for his wife -- he's keeping the REAL 911) and when he has to drive her car to the mall/cottage/club-house he gets to drive a real Porsche car rather than the Cayenne/whatever-SUV-she-currently-has that handles like a gentrified farm-implement.

You guys just don't appreciate the real market -- its a chick-mobile for the trophy-wife.


daytonavioletdaytonaviolet - 11/22/2008 5:48:35 PM
+2 Boost
I thought that's what the Cayenne was for.


100octane100octane - 11/24/2008 7:38:13 AM
+3 Boost
it's obvious that you never drove a cayenne, so stop talking about things you dont know


009load009load - 11/22/2008 2:31:10 PM
+6 Boost
I see Buluga Whale.


1dott81dott8 - 11/22/2008 3:38:51 PM
-3 Boost
a lot of people may not like the look of this contraption (including myself) but it will still sell. some of the most ugly cars sell pretty well. not to stereotype any certain group but if this get's into one rap video, anyone who is in the rap culture will aspire to have one and that is exactly what i see happening.


daytonavioletdaytonaviolet - 11/22/2008 5:51:33 PM
+2 Boost
I predict it will be popular for about a year, just like the Maybach. It'll be in a few videos, a few professional athletes will buy them, and then nothing.


JUGNUJUGNU - 11/22/2008 4:01:23 PM
-1 Boost
Ohhh... i don't beleive that's a porsche. Porsche can come up with such a design.
even the rear badging, which is comparably one of the easier thing to do (last photo)is ugly and totally unimaginative.
btw this is what happens when u don't practice for years, Porsche didn't design new cars/shapes for years and was just evolving/updating the 911 (boxster is only in second generation, 1st generation was nearly identical to the 911, Cayman is a Boxter coupe).
They then came up with Cayenne that was/is ugly and now Panamera which makes cayenne look like Maserati.

Even if we look at the parts separeatley, they are all from the existing parts bin, we can see front end is completely from the 911 turbo, rear lights from cayman, air went in the doors are very IS-F like. so it was only the etra doors which they had to fit and new rear end and yet all they could come up with is this.... a big shame and tells a lot about Porsche design department.

I hope they don't contineou offering more models(and over that the way they charge for these extremely hideous cars/ripping off people) and do what they do best. 911s, Boxsters and Cayman.

A great dissapointment.

JUGNU


jacksaidjacksaid - 11/22/2008 4:05:59 PM
-1 Boost
I still think that porsche missed the boat with the cayenne, by letting VW dictate the body style, and just changing the front and rear fascias.

The proper porsche SUV could have looked like an old 928 with a higher stance. Basically that's what the Infiniti fx is. Now the panamera butt is going in that same direction but it's sort of muddy styling so it's hard to tell what they were going for.

I think the tail looks sharp on the infiniti fx, but it could have looked even better if porsche had started with that design instead of the touareg. The future of cars is crossover: not huge SUV and not tiny unuseable sports cars, but something in between that's sporty with a nod to useable space and seating.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 11/22/2008 4:07:27 PM
+1 Boost
i'm not sure what to make of this car...

it's like they took a 911 and stretched the hell out of it.

let's face it, this is a weird car.


WillisWillis - 11/22/2008 4:34:41 PM
-1 Boost
I like it. Porsche designers managed to create a car with four doors that still looks like a Porsche. I might be in the minority here but this car has "classic" written all over it.

Furthermore Porsche wouldn't have released this car without significant market research first. Bottom line, there is a market for this car out there.

Some of the comments here are just outrageous. People basing its success on its design...as if you're all expert design critics here.


PorscheMeisterPorscheMeister - 11/22/2008 4:37:41 PM
+1 Boost
I see this and I keep thinking "National Lampoon's Wagon Queen Family Truckster"


LexSucksLexSucks - 11/22/2008 5:42:55 PM
0 Boost
Haven't I been saying all along that Porsche is incapable of creating an attractive new design? Why do you think that the 911's design barely changes?


iamdabest1iamdabest1 - 11/22/2008 5:55:17 PM
-5 Boost
this car is beautiful, except the hatch........ they should have made it a normal trunk it would have looked better, but im sure it will outsell the cayenne......


LexusLexus - 11/22/2008 6:00:50 PM
-6 Boost
To make everything clear, Porsche is well known all over the world making supercar with performance that is out of this world.

They're not known for making beautiful cars, but this Panamera look pretty good. But there are several problem, first it resemble the Doge Magnum from the side angle. And secondly we all know that the Aston Martin Rapide a way better looking car this this Porsche Panamera.

I know the truth hurt, but I am just stating the fact that most of us up here think the Aston Martin Rapide look better.

Lexus


Agent63Agent63 - 11/22/2008 9:16:38 PM
0 Boost
There is time for tradition and a time for change. With a new sedan like this there is no reason to carry the traditional Porsche looks that are embedded on the 911 and Cayman model ranges. The Panamera looked stunning from the front in sketch or concept form. We all knew from the get-go the rear was doomed. I knew from the start the rear would carry something to resemble to 911/Cayman style which would mean disaster for this car. It's direct competition which is the Mercedes CLS, Lamborghini Estoque, Aston Martin Rapide are all better choices.

I love Porsche to death but it don't mean I have to agree with this design. They should have used the Carrera GT style front end with a less awkward hump in the rear of the car. Merc did it fine with the CLS.

My two cents!


MunichRobMunichRob - 11/22/2008 11:07:49 PM
0 Boost
I don't love it but I don't dislike it either. It looks good but doesn't really accomplish the goal Porsche set out to tackle as it doesn't look very coupe like at all.

It has proportions more suited to a station wagon than a coupe, & if they were marketing it as a crossover type vehicle I might be more sold on the design. Otherwise (As Agent63 mentioned) it takes a back seat when compared to the likes of Benz's CLS & Astons Rapide design wise.

One things for sure the Panamera has a certain uniqueness to it.


Designer1Designer1 - 11/23/2008 12:28:20 AM
-1 Boost
It's a Porsche, it’s beautiful, same old design lines but beautiful. I can see already Mazarati's market loosing big time for it. Now let’s see if the Japanese are serious about having a GT-R flavor super sedan to compete with this and NOT the M5, this is beyond the M5's class.


Bmw8terBmw8ter - 11/23/2008 3:07:33 PM
+1 Boost
Minus -1 for spelling Maserati wrong.


synxsynx - 11/23/2008 2:17:48 AM
+1 Boost
nice except for the back


dhkss2002dhkss2002 - 11/23/2008 2:43:04 AM
0 Boost
..and undertakers the world over couldn't contain their woodies after the global hearse association revealed their new mascot. Lol


ForeignerForeigner - 11/24/2008 10:06:22 AM
+1 Boost
LOL


WhelanWhelan - 11/24/2008 10:40:38 AM
0 Boost
Looks like, well...umm...POS. and here comes the flame that it's a Porsche and its a good car, but honestly, I know BMW made the X6 and people buy it, but I swear some people need to get smacked into reality if they think that and this thing above look good.

It makes me feel like my Matrix sneaked out of the driveway last night and humped the neighbors GT2


mini22mini22 - 11/24/2008 12:11:08 PM
+2 Boost
This is Porsche's first foray into a large (195.6"L X 76" W X 55.4" H)luxury sedan.The market will determine how well it sells. Remember the Bangle Butt didn't stop BMW from good sales on the 5 6 and 7 series. The problem is that Porsche design put's practicality above all else.Rear headroom was an absolute must. Otherwise the rear end would have had a more gentle slope and the car would have sat 2 inches lower. The car is not terrible overall but the rear end hatch is definately exploring new ground for a luxury sports sedan. It will be interesting to see how it sells.


Htay7500Htay7500 - 11/24/2008 3:43:13 PM
+1 Boost
This just bastardized the 911.


FerrarisR4meFerrarisR4me - 11/24/2008 3:55:07 PM
+1 Boost
Well, it doesn't look as god awful as I thought it would be, but it still makes a pretty strong case for ugliest car of the year 08 or 09. It looks more like a wagon than a car. I hope Porsche kills it in a year or two.


DenaliDenali - 11/24/2008 5:57:26 PM
+1 Boost
not bad


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 11/24/2008 6:58:20 PM
+3 Boost
Thing is, if they chopped off the back doors, made it shorter and cleaned up the mess out back it would make a gorgeous 928 reincarnate.

I'm eager to see this in person. I have a feeling the pictures don't do it justice. The front looks great, and the rear looks great--it's just that awful side profile.

Thinking about it logically it sounds like the perfect car. Performance and style(?) of a Porsche with the practicality of a big hatch sedan thing.


TheDepressingTruthTheDepressingTruth - 11/27/2008 1:54:50 AM
0 Boost
Chris Bangle now has major competition as the Worlds Worst Car Designer..
Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC