Porsche Panamera revealed

At last! Porsche’s new Panamera supersaloon has made its official public debut, ahead of this year’s Shanghai Motor Show in China.

Unveiled to a crowd packed into a room at the very top of one of the fast growing city’s 7,000 skyscrapers, Porsche admitted that despite it’s high hopes for the model, the global recession meant the firm would have its work cut out in making the model a success.

However, with no fewer that five industry firsts for technology, plus a distinctive design, the German company is confident that it will sell at least 20,000 Panameras every year – once the model hits the road on 12th September.

Priced from £72,266 for the Panamera S, £77,269 for the Panamera 4S and £95,298 for the top of the range Panamera Turbo, the car gets the world’s first seven speed double clutch semi automatic gearbox.

It also becomes the first saloon from the firm to offer fuel saving stop and start engine technology, active aerodynamics, adaptive suspension, and Porsche’s signature Sportchronos handling pack.

The Panamera S and 4S have 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with a choice of 19-inch and 20-inch alternatives available. The Panamera Turbo rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.

Additional features on the Panamera Turbo include PASM with an adaptive air suspension function that actively adjusts the ride height, BOSE Surround Sound audio system with 14 speakers, metallic paint, multi-function steering wheel, heated rear seats and rear side airbags.

From next year, a new entry level V6 engined model is promised, with a fuel sipping hybrid model due 12 months later.

Answering questions at the event, Porsche announced that there are currently no plans for a diesel mode, however this contradicts previous reports in which Porsche has refused to rule the technology out.