Panamera 10th Anniversary

Yesterday, an article was published on the “Porsche newsroom” titled “10 years of the Porsche Panamera: sports car, luxury saloon, hybrid pioneer.” Wow… the Panamera was first launched in April 2009, so this year marks its 10th anniversary.

With that in mind, I’d like to share some of the highlights from that article.

As the title suggests, the Panamera truly deserves to be called a “sports car, luxury saloon, and hybrid pioneer.”

The Panamera is a car that combines the versatility of a luxury sports car with that of a touring saloon. Porsche initially planned to produce 20,000 units annually, but the Panamera has consistently exceeded expectations, with over 235,000 units sold worldwide to date.

The technologies developed through the Panamera’s creation have also greatly benefited other Porsche models, making the Panamera a key player in the Porsche brand over the past decade. Incidentally, all current second-generation Panamera models are manufactured at Porsche’s Leipzig plant.

Ah… I’d love to visit the Leipzig plant at least once. (I’m actually more interested in Leipzig than Stuttgart, lol)

History of Panamera Development

Starting from the 356

In the 1950s, Porsche engineers developed the Type 530 based on the 356, creating a “comfortable 4-seater with an extended wheelbase and large doors.”

I had never heard of the Type 530 before. Later, there was a 4-door prototype based on the 911,

and in the 1980s, a variant of the 928 was also developed.

Then, in 1988, Porsche made a new attempt with the “Type 989,” a 4-door coupe featuring a front-mounted V8 engine and two rear seats.

Unfortunately, due to economic reasons, development was halted in early 1992, and the 989 remained only a prototype.

The Birth of the Panamera

Entering the 21st century, Porsche decided to develop a 4-door hatchback saloon based on market research and competitor analysis. This was also a dream of Wendelin Wiedeking, the then Chairman of the Executive Board (known for rebuilding Porsche after its near-bankruptcy in the 1990s and for deciding and executing Volkswagen’s acquisition from 2005 onward).

The Panamera’s specifications at the time were to have “excellent driving dynamics, spacious comfort, and the typical Porsche appearance.” By the way, the name “Panamera” was inspired by the Mexican endurance race “Carrera Panamericana.”

On April 19, 2009, the Panamera was unveiled to the world. Porsche invited media from around the globe to a press conference held on the 94th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center. As for how they got the Panamera up to the 94th floor, they used special equipment to load it upright into a freight elevator, with 60 staff members working for several hours.

The Panamera at launch combined the “sportiness” and “spacious comfort” typical of its class, but was actually packed with innovations. It was the first in its class to feature an idling stop function, and the top model Panamera Turbo introduced air suspension with on-demand additional air volume and a multi-dimensionally adjustable and extendable rear spoiler.

Since then, the Panamera lineup has expanded with gasoline, diesel, and hybrid powertrains, as well as rear-wheel and all-wheel drive options. Incidentally, the original Panamera offered a 6-speed manual transmission, but most customers chose the 7-speed PDK. (When I was looking for a manual car myself, I checked for a 970 Panamera MT but found none, lol) Diesel and hybrid models came with an 8-speed automatic.

The Executive model, developed mainly for Chinese customers, was introduced as part of the 2013 facelift. The engine was more powerful, boasting 570 PS. With the Panamera’s arrival, Porsche established its brand in a new market segment and achieved success in China.

In 2011, Porsche launched the Panamera S Hybrid, the first parallel full hybrid in the luxury class. Despite its 380 PS output, it became the most eco-friendly Porsche to date. Two years later, the world’s first plug-in hybrid, the Panamera S E-Hybrid, was introduced with 416 PS and a 36 km electric range.

Second-Generation Panamera

The second-generation Panamera, unveiled worldwide on June 28, 2016, was completely redesigned. The wheelbase was extended, and starting in 2017, the Sport Turismo model, developed on the same platform, was introduced. Its avant-garde design and body concept added even more versatility to the luxury saloon.

Actually, the “Concept Sport Turismo” was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show and served as the predecessor to the second-generation Panamera.

The second-generation Panamera became sportier and more elegant. The roofline was extended rearward, and the connected taillights emphasize the brand identity even more strongly. It also features chassis systems such as a three-chamber air suspension, rear-axle steering, and the PDCC Sport electromechanical roll stabilization system.

Engine outputs were consistently optimized and increased. The transmission is now an 8-speed PDK, with power ranging from 330 PS and up.

With the second-generation Panamera, Porsche introduced hybrid variants across all model lines. This strategy was highly appreciated by customers, and in 2018, 67% of all Panamera models shipped in Europe were equipped with hybrid drivetrains.

Still, the Panamera is the One

The other day, my husband casually said,

“The Panamera’s inspection is due next year, so we should start thinking about something. The Cayenne Coupe looks cool, so maybe swapping it for the Panamera is an option…”

(Not a serious discussion, just a random musing)

At that moment, I thought, “I’ve driven the Panamera plenty, so maybe that’s an option,” but after learning more about the Panamera, I ended up thinking, “I really want to stick with the Panamera.”

I wonder how far the Panamera will continue to evolve. I look forward to it continuing to bring great joy and excitement to its drivers.

*Image sources: Porsche newsroom “10 years of the Porsche Panamera: sports car, luxury saloon, hybrid pioneer”