High-Performance

2010 Porsche Panamera: 20 new photos

Following the official unveiling of the 2010 Porsche Panamera, we’ve now got 21 new photos of the car, offering some different perspectives on the car’s unusual design. As previously noted, the sedan is expected to compete with the more expensive Aston Martin Rapide and Lamborghini Estoque models. Its nearest rival, in terms of anticipated price point, the BMW CS, was recently canceled.

In September, the automaker released a teaser shot of the Panamera’s characteristically Porsche nose, and until now that was the only official look at the finished exterior. Porsche says that the Panamera is 76 inches in width, making it an especially wide sedan. A Mercedes-Benz S-Class, for comparison, is less than 74 inches wide. The Panamera measures 55.8 inches in height and 195.7 inches in length. Clearly, its styling inspiration comes most from the recently-revised Cayman and Boxster.

The entry-level powerplant will be Volkswagen’s 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower. The ‘S’ model will deliver 400 hp from a 4.8-liter V8, and the Turbo variant will offer an estimated 500 horses. All models are equipped with Porsche’s new PDK dual-clutch gearbox. Porsche is also planning a hybrid variant of the Panamera, though the automaker failed to disclose any further details. The turbocharged version will come standard with all-wheel-drive. Rear wheel drive will be standard otherwise with four-wheel propulsion a line-wide option.

Inside, Porsche says that the Panamera features a driver-oriented dashboard, seating for four and folding rear seat backs for additional cargo space. The automaker hasn’t released official interior photography, though our spy photos reveal an interior that clearly follows current Porsche design language.

According to Edmunds, the base car will come with a sticker price of $127,000. Despite the high price tag, Porsche says it plans to sell 20,000 Leipzig, Germany-built Panameras annually.