V6 and hybrid confirmed, but no diesel for Panamera

Porsche has confirmed that it will build six-cylinder petrol and petrol-electric hybrid versions of its new Panamera. Though both models were effectively open secrets and the timetable for the models is still to be formalised, last week's launch of the V8 and V8 Turbo Panameras in Germany (more here) saw Porsche Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing and board member Klaus Berning commenting openly about the new models.

According to Berning, the rear-wheel drive V6 Panamera will be offered as a new base model with both manual and PDK dual clutch gearboxes. Porsche insiders say the car is aimed at the burgeoning Chinese market in particular, but that it will be sold in most established market worldwide.

Last year China was Porsche's fastest going market with over 8300 cars sold. Of those, more than 80 per cent were Cayennes; the majority V6 engined variants. The trend is expected to follow through with the new four-door Panamera.

Australia is also in line for the V6 model, however, details like pricing and timelines are not even close to being confirmed.

The hybrid Panamera -- which should be Down Under before the end of 2010 -- will take a different position in the line-up, say Porsche staffers. Expected to offer performance approaching that of the base V8 S -- at least in roll-on acceleration thanks to a blend of petrol V6 and electric power -- the Hybrid will be "Panamera's conscience" said one engineer.

The relatively mild hybrid will leverage the powertrain Porsche has co-developed with the Volkswagen Audi Group for the Cayenne Hybrid. It will, however, offer limited electric-only operation.

The choice of petrol/electric as Porsche's green option for Panamera, however, leaves a turbodiesel powertrain option out in the cold -- at least for the foreseeable future.

The front-mid-engined chassis set-up of the new four-door Porsche necessitated a redesign of the Cayenne's petrol V8. Almost 100mm shorter (sump to intake manifold) than the engine used in the offroader, the Panamera's new V8 is mounted lower and further rearwards. Thus the Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel Porsche has adapted for the Cayenne Diesel will not fit without major redesign work.

"We don't have our own diesel engines -- so we must use another engine and the implementation is tricky," body and package chief Dr Ludwig Hamm told the Carsales Network.

"If you look at the cut away model of the Panamera [on display at the launch venue] there is not very much space,so the adaptation of a foreign engine is quite a challenge.

"If this would be a necessity, then I think we could find a solution, but I think it depends how much change has to be done on the inlet side or [the sump, etc]. [But] For sure there is no program [to do so]," he stated.

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