Mention the word ‘Porsche’ to anyone and the words “expensive” and “high-class” will probably spring to mind. And so they should. Porsche have worked hard over the years to promote and secure a sophisticated, opulent profile in the minds of drivers all around the world. With a number of contenders and new manufacturers coming out of the woodwork in the last few years; the question which now needs to be answered is; does Porsche still have high-end appeal?

Formed in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche; word quickly spread around the world that Porsche were the manufacturers to go to if you were looking for a modern, sleek, prestigious automobile. In May 2006, Porsche were awarded the major title of most prestigious automobile brand by Luxury Institute, New York, securing their place at the top of the automobile wish list.

Popular Porsche lease models include the Porsche Boxster, the Porsche 911, the Porsche Panamera and the Porsche Cayman. Keen to be known as more than a luxury car manufacturer, Porsche released the Porsche Cayenne – a mid size luxury sport vehicle. Since its launch the Cayenne has gone from strength to strength, with more than 250,000 models produced by the August 2009.

Although still riding high on the automobile wave; Porsche have recently faced a lot of competition in the form of new, younger manufacturers. Maserati, Bugatti, Ferrari and Lamborghini have all produced amazing, indulgent car models in the past few years which have shaken Porsche at their very core. The most high profile was easily the Bugatti Veyron which rockets from 0 to 60 in just 2.6 seconds.

Porsche might not be as young or exciting as their newer competitors but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the game just yet! Offering great value for money and excellent performance; Porsche are all set to range a brand new range of models to prove they’re officially back in the leasing game – complete with high-class appeal and elegance.

A German manufacturer of automobiles, Porsche is a majority-owned by the Porsche and Piëch families. The company headquarter is in Zuffenhausen, a city district of Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. This German automobile launch their new controversial first four door sedan in the identity of Porsche Panamera. Porsche has finally lifted the lid on the all-new 4 doors Porsche Panamera in its entirety. The rhythm goes into this, months ahead of its official global public debut at the Geneva motor show in March. Its almost a year before it runs up on sale next year (2009) in Australia. This model was controversial into the Car critics in online forum because of the design which its seems like combining the designs of all model of Porsche. Some critics are not amazed in this Panamera but as a part of Porsche luxury automobile, let’s see this coming year if the Panamera will boost up in the market. Let’s see if the critics will win of telling this model a crap or the Porsche Panamera can win on its battle to prove its luxuriance and being unique in the eyes of the car lovers.

About the features of the Panamera, it has three engine choices such as 3.6 L V6 found in the 2008 Cayenne with 300hp in the base Panamera, 4.8 L V8 with 405hp in the Panamera S, and a turbocharge 4.8 L V8 with approximate 500hp in the Panamera Turbo. There are some rumor that this new car model was turn in using also a V10 engines like in the Porche Carrera GT supercar and another speculation of using V12 Diesel engine from the Audi Q7. About the exterior of the Panamera, this is the controversial designs that reveals like the resembles of a stretched version of the Porsche 911. As stated, this id the first four door sedan with an extended roofline and a large rear tail gate which make it more two-box hatchback than three-box sedan. The four-seat interior, the two individual rear bucket seats fold forward to increase luggage space. Panamera measures 4970mm long overall and about half a meter longer than the 911. A 1418mm high, it is relatively low-slung for a four-door but still around 130mm taller than the 911. 1931mm wide which is more than 80mm wider than even the wide-bodied all-wheel drive versions of the 911, including the 911 Turbo and GT2. Panamera V6 and V8 transmission choices will include a six-speed manual and Porsche’s new seven-speed PDK double-clutch automated manual.

For the availability of the Panamera, it will join the volume-selling Cayenne SUV, Boxster convertible/Cayman coupe twins and the 911 on sale in Australia early in the fourth quarter of 2009. The Porsche National car dealers network, which now comprises 13 retail outlets including the newly factory-owned Porsche Centre Sydney together with Porsche Centre Melbourne accounts for 40% of its Australian sales, will invest in expanded showroom space to cater for the Panamera and the new customers expect to attract to the Porsche brand. The car dealers expect to increase the car sales next year and their hoping that this new car Porsche Panamera will help for their campaign. Well, the car pricing of the Panamera was situated between 5,000 and 5,000. The Panamera will compete directly with four-door car models like the popular Mercedes-Benz CLS and Maserati Quattroporte. In this feature of Panamera, its competitive but it was criticize already. By the way, let’s see next year how do Panamera hit the market.

According to a Porsche company update to shareholders, the company is planning to collaborate with Volkswagen on the Panamera. Accordingly, the painted body shells for the four-door coupe will be supplied by the Volkswagen Hannover facility.

Porsche’s well known Zuffenhausen plant will be supplying the engines.

According to a statement, the Panamera is the new addition to Porsche’s lineup in which the company hopes to widen its customer basis further and step up market penetration in order to safely assure long-term growth.

But at what cost to the brand?

From the company’s Leipzig plant, the Panamera is set for a large-scale production for the 2009 market. The Porsche said in a statement that it is remaking its Leipzig plant with a new production facility costing the amount 6 million and 600 new jobs.

Admittedly, the actual Panamera concept which is shown in the spy photos courtesy of cardomain.com does look better than the Porsche 928 GT it’s based upon, but it still seems like a Porsche sedan.

Although Porsche have toyed with the idea of a sedan for more than 50 years, the company has never produced a sedan. It might seem desecration for Porsche to deviate from its purebred sports cars like the 911, Boxster and Cayman, but this is all “again all over again”. Before the end of 2002, Porsche released the Cayenne, a still-controversial SUV that has seen considerable success.

From the spy shots of the Panamera, it clearly follows Porsche’s sweeping, contoured design philosophy. It is basically more of a four-door coupe than a traditional sedan. Somewhat to the Cayenne and Cayman is the rear, where the Panamera will feature a hatchback-style vent similar to the Cayman. The spy photographer suspects that under the hood is a lineup similar to the Cayenne’s: a V6 and two V8s, ranging from a little under 300 horsepower to at least 500 in the top turbo version. But rumors are heard on Porsche’s mounting of the engines as far back as possible in order to keep the center of gravity in the center. And expect wider availability of the 6-speed manual transmission than in the Cayenne, too.

The Panamera is expected to provide excellent competition for the Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes CLS, and BMW and Volkswagen’s upcoming four-door coupes.

About Porsche

Porsche believes in the principle that is based on values and philosophies that together create the company’s added value. Maker of quality Porsche 928 parts, this German sport car manufacturer also offers services in consultancy, engineering, supplying and financing.