Porsche Panamera – A Mistake?
(Image Courtesy of Motor Trend)
I don’t like Porsches. Never have. The ugly headlights, the ugly nose, the ridiculous spoilers. To me, they are tasteless little wannabe Lamborghini/Ferraris. And whenever my feelings for Porsche start to get milder, some new mistake sends it right back on track.
The mistake in question here is the upcoming Porsche Panamera. It’s supposed to be a “four door coupe“, a new term that has somehow popped up among the more pathetic car manufacturers. The term itself is contradicting. A coupe has two doors. A four door automobile is a sedan. The two are NOT the same. It’s just a lame attempt by some companies to sell their non-sporty cars as sporty.
Anyway, the entire idea of Porsche making a sedan just doesn’t seem right to me. They make the majority of their sales from their coupes, because that is what a Porsche is. A Porsche is supposed to be a fast, little, comfortable, and somewhat expensive two door sports car. When Porsche introduced the Cayenne SUV, it did very little to improve sales, and it smudged the company name. If you all remember, they got a lot of flak for trying to advertise an SUV as a sports automobile. Now, for some reason, they’re diverging from the brand again, this time in the form of a sedan.
What’s more, they plan to take on the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide. I don’t know what’s gotten into the head of Porsche’s top brass, but there is no way in hell that they can take on Aston Martin and expect to win. Porsche is playing out of their league, and I suspect that will not be able to handle it.
Just like it should be.
I don’t like it when cars try to be something that they’re not. Seeing a ridiculous Japanese ricer Civic just makes me think “poser” and “wannabe”. Porsche is a fine example of this. They try to play with the big boys (Lambo and Ferrari), but they just can’t hack it. Sure, the GT3 is fast, and can even best the F430 and the Murcielago in certain events, but it still does not have the class and the prestige that the truly exotic manufacturers have. Now, they are going for Aston Martin, who for many years has owned the luxury/sports car category. I hope that they fail.
My advice to Porsche: Know your place. Stick with what you are good at, and you won’t ever fail. But step out of line and the big boys are gonna eat you alive.
Some Panamera facts:
The good thing is that it might be a hybrid. If so, I applaud Porsche for making a good choice, and I would advise them to kill the Panamera and instead make a hybrid sports car.
The engine is rumored to be either a V-8 or possibly a V-10. The entry model for 2010 might get a V-6. Pricing is expected to be around $100,000 or so, with a more powerful model several tens of thousands beyond that.
I know I usually do a spec sheet, but I know pretty nothing about this car, so I don’t see the point.
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Filed Under: Car Opinions • Concept Cars • Hybrid • Porsche
A huge mistake (if you ask me) … sedans, how uninspiring.
While I disagree with your overall outlook on Porsche as a brand and especially the 911, I tend to agree with your take on the Panamera. The thing to watch out for is that Porsche doesn't do much without first thinking it through. Most of the images we have seen have all been heavily camouflaged and I expect the finished product may be better looking then we all have been led to believe.
You may want to check a few of your facts however regarding production numbers and sales. You mention "When Porsche introduced the Cayenne SUV, it did very little to improve sales, and it smudged the company name." Not quite true. If you look at the Porsche annual report for their last fiscal year reported (06/07) Cayennes almost matched the 911 in sales volume worldwide with over 34,000 Cayennes deliver vs. 38,000 911s. Together these two models represent 75% of Porsche's overall vehicle deliveries of just over 98,000 units. As for smudging the brand, I think most true Porsche fans now recognize the fact that Porsche as we know it today would not exist were it not for the introduction of the Cayenne and the subsequent profits that continue to allow the production and development of the iconic 911.
Whoa, looks like I irritated a Porsche lover with my subjective comments!
My mistake on the Cayenne sales figures. On whether the Cayenne smudged the name or not…I guess it is a matter of opinion. I know many people who absolutely love Porsche and would adore the 911 even if it turned into a box on wheels, and even they have to work at complimenting the Cayenne. No one ever buys one because they like the car, they buy it for the brand name. And then they go through life with a sneaking suspicion that everyone else knows it.
As for the Panamera, I sincerely doubt it will look any better as a result of intensive thought on Porsche's part. Said company has not designed a good looking car since the Carrera GT (my opinion), and it sure doesn't look like they are going to start any time soon.
Hey Will,
Guilty as charged (Porsche lover that it is.) Not irritated at all. In fact, as I said in my first comment I agree with your take on the Panamera. You can check out my own post on the subject if you like at http://993c4s.com/cars/porsche-panamera/porsche-p…
Personally, I hope we are both wrong about the ultimate looks of the Panamera, but only time will tell. From the sounds of it, it will be much more difficult to change your opinion than mine.
Its not the saloon Porsche that shocks me here but your use of the term “Ricer”. Its derogatory and racist.
I know what it means but why use it? I was enjoying your site and now, not so sure.
Anyway, I also agree – a saloon Porsche is a very bad idea. Aweful. But also happen to dig Porsche’s as much as Lambo’s and Astons, which the Rapide looks incredible to me. They figured out how to do a stunning sedan.
Aston Martin's Rapide wins hands-down over this ugly thing. Why would Porsche ever want to do a sedan? That goes against the very definition of the brand.
And Rekobeko, I'm confused: how is "ricer" racist? You say you know what it means but I'm not too sure. It's not even derogatory, it just describes a customized Japanese car.
Porsche lover, it will definitely be harder to change my opinion than to change yours, as your views are biased through the medium of adoration, whereas I’m subjectively judging cars based on style. Don’t get me wrong- I would love for Porsche to make a good looking car. It’s just that, for me, it still hasn’t happened.