Paul Tan on the Automotive Industry
We seem to have no shortage of promo videos for the new Porsche Panamera. This time we get to see the Panamera 4S in an entirely different setting compared to the previously featured video – while the previous video was set in more of an urban environment, this one takes us onto the open roads.
Watch the video after the jump.
Other Porsche Panamera Videos:
New Porsche Panamera Promo Footage: exterior, interior, retractable spoiler, etc
VIDEO: Porsche Panamera Promo Footage
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An early spyshot of the Panamera… disguised with W203 peanut headlamps!
With the industry being the way it is now, there have been plenty of talks about this or that brands being sold here and there, and of mergers, alliances, and share swaps.
The latest are rumours that Daimler, who have also been said to possibly do a stake swap with BMW, is in deep talks since the end of May 2009 to take up a stake in Porsche. This was according to a German business magazine called “manager magazin“.
Despite achieving things like owning a large amount of Volkswagen Group shares, Porsche is currently in debt (likely thanks to the Volkswagen stake buys) and has asked for German state aid while in talks to sell a stake to Qatar via the Qatar Investment Authority. Its debt tripled to 9 billion Euros after it raised its Volkswagen stake to 50.8% earli this year.
A Daimler AG spokesperson dismissed the report as speculation, while spokespersons from Porsche and Volkswagen said they were not aware if there were such talks.
Here’s a new set of promotional footage and beauty shots for the upcoming 4-door Porsche Panamera. You can check out the exterior and interior (I think it’s got the most wood in a modern Porsche that I’ve ever seen!) in detail and even watch the car in motion. There’s also footage of how stuff like the retractable rear spoiler works.
Check the video out after the jump!
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Click for enlarged image
We’ve seen some pretty aggressive Porsche Cayenne bodykits around and people are actually buying them and slapping them onto their cars, even here in Malaysia. But really, this is possibly the most outrageous bodykit of all. Just look at that Enzo-like nose cone! This kit was developed by Status Design, a company based in Moscow, Russia. If you ever want your Cayenne to look like some kind of bizarre Enzo-Peugeot hybrid, this is your solution. Right now it’s all just on paper as a preview, but the company aims to put the kit into production.
Here’s some promo footage that Porsche shot of their latest car, the 4-door Porsche Panamera grand tourer. The 2010 model year car was first unveiled at Auto Shanghai 2009 just last month in production form.
At launch time, only V8 models will be available. Both front mounted engines will be similiar to the V8 motors in the Porsche Cayenne SUV, one normally aspirated and one turbocharged. Like the baseline Cayenne, a baseline 3.6 litre V6 model will come later, including a hybrid model.
Look after the jump for the video and a gallery.
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Click image to enlarge – artist’s impression by Theophilus Chin
The only front engine Porsches sold right now are the Cayenne and the new Panamera, which are SUV and 4-door models respectively.
Looking at how other luxury marques are having success selling front engine sports coupe models such as Aston Martins and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fionaro, Porsche is rumoured to be bringing back the 928.
Front engine cars like this offer the possibility of a larger boot space to enhance the vehicle’s tourer functions – the 599 has 320 litres while the Aston Martin V12 Vantage has 300 litres. In comparison, the 911 Turbo only has 105 litres of luggage space.
A modern day 928 would essentially be a two-door short wheelbase coupe version of the Porsche Panamera. It could be called the Panamera Coupe or get a new name.
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The new Porsche Panamera has finally made its world public debut at the 2009 Auto Shanghai show in China. The fact that its debut location was picked in China shows us how China and other Asian markets are fast coming up the radar of European marques such as Porsche. In fact, Porsche sales in Asia grew 140% during the last fiscal year.
At launch time only the V8 and turbocharged V8 models will be made available but Porsche has revealed that a more economical 3.6 litre V6 and a hybrid model will be coming later. The Panamera measures 4970mm in length and 1420mm in height and offers 4 seats with a center console stretching all the way from the dash to the rear separating the left and right occupants.
The Panamera will also offer a start-stop system with the automatic transmission (this is usually paired only with a manual in the past), an air suspension with additional air volume available on demand in each spring, and an adjustable extendable rear spoiler in the Panamera Turbo.
Look after the jump for a a full photo gallery as well as a video of the Panamera exterior, interior and some driving footage.
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I never did understand why Porsche used that weird rocker switch thing for the steering-mounted gear shifters.
Thankfully there are many who share my views, including Porsche tuner Gemballa, who have just released this Gemballa F1 steering wheel for the Porsche PDK dual clutch transmission. It offers some proper paddle shifts with left for downshift and right for upshift.
Nice and ergonomic, just like how everyone else does it! The steering wheel rim is also pretty darn thick for a firmer grip and includes the standard airbag.
With the launch of the Porsche Panamera expected to take place at the Shangai Motor Show next month, the Stuttgart-based sports car maker has revealed five key innovations that will debut with the 4 door Panamera. A number of these innovations are things which we are already familiar with, but these features, for the first time will be implemented in the Panamera’s market segment.
First up on the list in the automatic start/stop system in conjunction with an automatic transmission. The start/stop system is coupled with Porsche’s PDK transmission that helps the Panamera to deliver 100 kilometers with 10.8 litres of fuel based on the new European driving cycle. To help improve fuel efficiency, the Panamera also comes with tires that feature minimum roll resistance.
Next up is the adaptive air suspension with additional air volume on demand. Basically, the driver can add more volume into the system on demand, that will then change the characteristics of the Gran Turismo. This system is standard for the Panamera Turbo, and optional for Panamera S and Panamera 4S.
Then, there is also an active aerodynamics system with a 4-way adjustable rear spoiler that moves up when required on the Panamera Turbo. Via its efficient management of control angles and surface geometry geared to driving conditions, the rear spoiler optimizes the Panamera’s aerodynamics, which can then help improve down force at high speeds.
The Panamera is also the first car in its segment that comes with a complete cover on the under-floor that extends to the drivetrain tunnel and rear-end silencers. This feature helps reduce both air resistance and lift forces on the axles, which in practice means lower fuel consumption and higher driving dynamics.
Lastly, the Panamera also features a lightweight construction technology typical of a sports car, that uses advanced production methods and materials. Such materials include all kinds of steel grades, light alloys such as aluminium and magnesium, as well as plastics.
The lightweight doors also feature a load-bearing structure made of laser-treated pressure-cast aluminium, an aluminium outer skin and door window frames made of thin-walled pressure-cast magnesium. This enables the Panamera S, which also features adjustable rear seats to feature an overall weight that is rated at 1,770 kilograms. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Vorsteiner V-RT (Vorsteiner Race Technologies) has revealed a new styling package for the 997 Porsche 911 Carrera. The styling package consists of an aerodynamic body kit as well as a new set of wheels.
The aerodynamic body kit, which is mostly made of carbon fiber features larger front air intakes, a new rear bumper with twin-finned carbon fiber rear diffuser for the quad exhaust and larger side vents to improve airflow, a carbon fiber wing that help improves downforce and a carbon composite engine lid with extra air scoops to channel more air into this 997. Just like the GT2 version, Vorsteiner had to let the front fog lamps lose, to make way for a removable carbon fiber front spoiler.
The new 20-inch V306 wheels feature a twin, 7 spoke design with a centre mesh. These wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 sports tires. Please continue reading to view an image gallery.
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