Porsche celebrates its 10 years with Panamera presenting the first Gran Turismo in April 2009
Ten years ago, Porsche launched into a new market segment. With the Panamera, the sports car manufacturer presented its first Gran Turismo in April 2009. Like no other car in the luxury car class, this model combines the performance one would expect from a sports car with the luxury and versatility of a touring saloon. While Porsche initially planned a production of 20,000 units per year, the Panamera has long since exceeded all expectations: more than 235,000 cars have been delivered to date.
As a technology platform got innovations that were later transferred to other models, the Panamera has played a significant role in shaping the past ten years if the brand’s history. With its high-performance hybrid variants, it is not above all a trailblazer for electromobility at Porsche.
First four-seater Porsche prototype based on the 356
In the 1950s, Porsche engineer developed a comfortable four-seater based on the 356. The Type 530 had a lengthened wheelbase, larger doors and a raised roof at the rear. Others followed, including a four-door prototype based on the 911 and, in the 1980s, lengthened variants of the 928. Porsche made a new attempt with the Type 989: the four-door coupé offered space for two full seats in the rear. The drive power was provided by a V8 front engine. The 989 remained a prototype. For economic reasons, development was discontinued at the start of 1992.
Mirage, Meteor and Phantom: green light for the Panamera
At the beginning of the new millennium, Porsche conducted market studies, analysed the competition and decided to develop a four-door hatchback saloon. Included in the specifications were outstanding driving dynamics, generous space conditions and a quintessentially Porsche appearance it was bult a four-seater sports car with a fast roofline, large tailgate & hatchback. During the design process, the three concepts “Mirage”, “Meteor” and “Phantom” emerged and in the end elements from all three variants were used – and a new name was chosen: Panamera.
World premiere: the first model generation from 2009 onwards
The Panamera’s first official appearance was on April 19, 2009 in Shanghai. The first model, internally known as G1, set standards in its class thanks to the wide spread between sportiness and comfort. For the first time, a luxury class production model was offered with a transmission and start-stop system. The top model Panamera Turbo also introduced air suspension with additional air volume on demand, as well as an adjustable, multi-dimensionally extendable rear spoiler. It set the course for all other Porsche model lines with its new display and operating concept. The model range grew rapidly and sustainably, culminating in an engine range covering power output from 250 to 550 hp with petrol, diesel and hybrid drives as well as rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. In the beginning, the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 engines were available with a six-speed manual transmission.
All new: the second model generation from 2016 onwards
The second Panamera generation (G2) celebrated its world premiere on June 28, 2016. The development involved multiple streams: in addition to the Gran Turismo with a standard and extended wheelbase, a third variant was developed on the same platform: the Sport Turismo. From 2017, its avant-garde design and body concept brought more versatility to the luxury vehicle class. The engine range was consistently optimised, while the power output values were increased: new engines were introduced across the range, and the transmission was now an eight-speed PDK. The power output spectrum started at 330 hp, today the top model is a 680 hp plug-in hybrid.
Hybrid models with the boost strategy of a supercar
Porsche set the stage for electromobility with the Panamera in 2011. As the first parallel full hybrid in the luxury class, the Panamera S Hybrid was the most economical Porsche to date, despite a power output of 380 hp. Two years later, the Panamera S E-Hybrid once again led the way in the segment as the world’s first plug-in hybrid – with 416 hp and an all-electric range of 36 kilometres. In the second Panamera generation, Porsche embraced electric performance across all model variants: the boost strategy adapted from the 918 Spyder supercar enabled performance of the kind typically associated with sports cars, but combined with high efficiency – both in the 462 hp Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and in the top model Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid with a system power output of 680 hp.
