Panamera back at the Ring

Not expected to debut until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2009, Porsche's first four-door GT, the Panamera is nonetheless in the midst of a heavy testing schedule ahead of its chassis sign-off later in 2007. And that means laps of Germany's infamous Nürburgring race track -- a favourite spot of CarPoint/Carsales' spy photo partner, Carparazzi.

Captured here at the 'Green Hell', the Panamera is Porsche's answer to the likes of Mercedes' CLS-AMG and BMW's M5.

Though the target for the Panamera's dynamics is the famous sportscar marque's 911 range, the new car is promising to deliver every-day practicality with four full seats, easy access to the rear and a luggage compartment of around 450 litres.

According to Porsche boss, Wendelin Wiedeking, the production target for the new four-door is in excess of 20,000 units per year.

It's not only handling prowess Panamera is borrowing from the 911 -- the new vehicle uses design elements from the sportscar icon as our artist's impression shows.

Unlike the 911, however, the Panamera will be front-engined. Three engines will be offered from launch say insiders -- a Volkswagen-sourced 3.5-litre six-cylinder unit developing around 200kW and two of Porsche's own direct-injection V8s as used in the latest Cayenne. Expect a naturally-aspirated 225kW unit and a twin-turbo with in excess of 400kW. There is, however, a suggestion Zuffenhausen may trump the likes of AMG and Audi with a version of the Panamera that uses a Carrera GT-based V10 with over 550kW.

Now, that would be something to get the rear-seat passengers' attention!

with Carparazzi