Porsche Panamera

New offerings from Porsche and Lamborghini

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ross Pinnock

30th September 2006

When the new four-door Panamera was put through its paces on public roads, our spy photographers were on hand to catch the moment!

Test mules disguised to resemble BMW M5s have already been spotted pounding around the Nürburgring circuit in Germany, but these exclusive pictures give more of a clue as to how the long-awaited model will really look.

Fans of the Stuttgart-based brand won't be disappointed, as the Panamera has a recognisable face. The sloping nose and raised headlamps in the front wings will be familiar to Porsche fans, and despite the extra pair of doors, the Panamera even has a similar profile to its famous 911 stablemate. Don't be fooled by the big spoiler at the back, though - it's a fake. In final production form, the four-door grand tourer is expected to have a rear wing which automatically pops up at speed.

Customers are likely to be offered a choice of powerplants, most notably the V8 unit from the Cayenne SUV, while the mighty 612bhp V10 from the exclusive Carrera GT supercar is also tipped to be available. Entry-level models could also be fitted with the Cayenne's 3.2-litre V6. The newcomer, which will rival Aston Martin's Rapide, is expected to debut in 2009, and should come in rear and four-wheel-drive variants.

Meanwhile, Lambo's Gallardo Nera will be a limited run of only 185 examples - and the rare offering certainly stands out from the crowd. Buyers get the choice of two colours, but all examples boast unusual matt black sections of bodywork. The wing mirrors, pop-up spoiler, roof and selected panels at the front and rear will all feature the distinctive finish. Purposeful matt black alloy wheels hide silver brake calipers, while clear indicator lenses and darkened tail-lamps add to the visual menace. And the Lambo's bespoke interior includes leather upholstery.

The Gallardo's 520bhp V10 engine is unmodified, so the Nera sprints from 0-62mph in four seconds on its way to a maximum speed of 196mph.