The new Porsche Panamera made its world debut today in China a few hours ahead of the 'grand opening' of the Shanghai Auto Show on Monday, April 20, marking the growing importance of the Chinese market for Porsche and other automakers. The German firm's first ever sports saloon, which is the fourth model series in Porsche's range, will be entering the market on September 12 with two engine variants, a 4.8-liter V8-with 400HP available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive layouts and a twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 producing 500HP that will be offered exclusively with all-wheel-drive.
A six-cylinder gasoline model with 300HP and a V6 gasoline hybrid version of the four-seater sports sedan will follow in 2010. Power to the wheels will be channeled either through a six-speed manual gearbox or the German firm's new seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox.
"Introducing the Panamera, we are entering a market segment completely new for our customers and we are once again consistently expanding our model portfolio," said Klaus Berning, Executive Vice-President Sales and Marketing of Porsche AG, during the presentation of the Panamera in Shanghai.
