Porsche purists have never been too fond of the Cayenne and Panamera, but customers less interested in heritage and pedigree have bought plenty of them. In fact, both models have significantly boosted the automaker’s 2010 sales, so not only are the Germans going keep them in their lineup, but will also continue to pump out new versions, at least according to the latest rumors. Citing inside sources, Autoweek reported today that Porsche is now considering a...long-wheelbase version of the Panamera, which could go on sale in the United States and China as early as 2012.
The same sources stated that the four-door coupe’s wheelbase could be extended by as much as 5 inches (12.7 cm) for a total of 120 inches (3.05 meters), enabling the Panamera to go after the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Lang that boasts a 124-inch (3.15 m) wheelbase.
The additional length is said to result in longer rear doors, which will also improve access, one of the current Panamera’s flaws.
In other news, Porsche has allegedly postponed its plans for new Panamera body styles (convertible and shooting brake) until 2015.
“We've decided to wait until the second-generation model before adding alternative body styles,” a high-ranking Porsche official told the news site. “We're already flat-out meeting demand for a single body style as it is,” he added.
Another day, another tuning proposal for Porsche's Panamera sports saloon which is proving to be particularly popular with the aftermarket industry. This one comes from Anderson Germany which has just finished tidying up the details on its latest project based on the non-turbo Panamera 4S.
Starting with the engine programme, a software update and a sport exhaust system that comes with a remote-controlled butterfly valve allowing the driver to control the tone, help increase the 4.8-liter naturally aspirate V8's output from 400HP to 485HP. Other go-fast features including a height-adjustable sports suspension and new 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black with red accents that are wrapped around tires sized 265/40 and 295/25 in the front and rear, respectively.
The car is then finished in a satin black shade and is fitted with a new body kit, while the mirrors, grille, door handles, logos, bar, tailgate and window frames are painted in a glossy black color. Anderson Germany also tinted the headlamps and tail light covers.
There's a variety of customization options available for the interior ranging from the carbon-style leather and black Alcantara seats with red diamond-shaped seams, to carbon fiber trims and accent LEDs for the door sills.
Porsche is out to prove that luxury sports saloons can offer exceptional fuel economy and low emissions without losing on performance with its new Panamera S Hybrid model, the first details of which were released earlier today. Shortly after the presentation Porsche also published a short video of the hybrid model in motion, which you can check out after the jump.
The newest member of the Panamera family puts out a combined 380HP from a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 and an electric motor, for a 0-60mph time of 5.8 seconds, Porsche said the hybrid model returns a combined fuel economy of just 6.8 lt/100km (equal to 34.6 mpg US) in the European cycle when equipped with low-rolling resistance tires, with CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, the lowest in its segment.
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