Porsche Panamera revealed

At last! Porsche’s newPanamera supersaloon has made its official public debut, ahead of thisyear’s Shanghai Motor Show in China.

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

However, with no fewer that fiveindustry firsts for technology, plus a distinctive design, the Germancompany is confident that it will sell at least 20,000 Panameras everyyear – once the model hits the road on 12th September.

Pricedfrom £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 theworld’s first seven speed double clutch semi automatic gearbox.

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

ThePanamera S and 4S have 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with a choiceof 19-inch and 20-inch alternatives available. The Panamera Turbo rideson 19-inch alloy wheels.

Additional features on the PanameraTurbo include PASM with an adaptive air suspension function thatactively adjusts the ride height, BOSE Surround Sound audio system with14 speakers, metallic paint, multi-function steering wheel, heated rearseats 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.

Answeringquestions at the event, Porsche announced that there are currently noplans for a diesel mode, however this contradicts previous reports inwhich Porsche has refused to rule the technology out.