Limo gets lethal

Parameters set by Porsche pitch the Panamera as the leader in performance and comfort.

Some company insiders say it will blow the competition wide open and set a new level for the luxury/limousine segment.

Final development testing suggests the Panamera has equalled or exceeded all of its mission statements.

Production is set to begin within a year and it is likely to arrive in Australia in late 2009.

Specification levels for the Panamera, which is set to be unveiled at the Paris Auto Salon in November, and engine choices have not yet been defined for Australia. The early prediction is for about 150 units to be sold here each year.

But if Porsche was serious about making a footprint on sales of rival German premium saloons it would start the range with the entry level V6. That would enable it to fight with Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW in the $180,000-plus price range.

A V8 and a twin turbo V8 are also under development along with a hybrid version.

The Panamera is principally set to target rival German long-wheel-base luxo saloons, the BMW 7-series, Audi A8 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Porsche is not acknowledging, at this stage at least, Aston Martin's forthcoming Rapide four-door saloon as a rival.

Jan-Peter Hoffmeister, Porsche's transmission and drivetrain specialist, says the V10-powered BMW M5 was benchmarked for performance along with the Maserati Quattroporte while the Mercedes-Benz CLS was referenced for comfort.

“We simply want to be the best in driving dynamics and driving comfort,” he said.

No one from Porsche would commit to acknowledging that the well-received PDK double-clutch transmission has been used in development testing on the Panamera.