The New Panamera

THE NEW PANAMERA
By- Michael Tashjian Tech Chair


WOW! Gone is the Chrysler Crossfire rear end, and so comes
the ever graceful circa 1978 928 silhouette. The anticipation of
a redesigned Panamera has been flooding social media around
the world basically since the Panamera was first launched to
criticism many moons ago. Yesterday’s unveiling in Berlin was
a carefully orchestrated media event live streamed to millions.
Certainly a success, but not without a minor hiccup one week
prior. As usual, a Chinese blogger had the stock photo up a few
days before, as we have seen with everything from new
iPhones to nuclear tests in Korea. One I guess could make the
argument Porsche leaked the picture to entice enthusiasts to
watch the live stream and post it to Facebook- yes I was one of
these people.

The 2017 Panamera is a ground up build with the latest
gadgets and luxuries one would expect from a 500 million Euro
investment. Buyers can choose initially between a 440 on the
Turbo V6 and 550 horsepower Turbo V8 engine coupled with a
16% advantage in fuel economy- owe. Porsche will announce a
Diesel to come at a later date- no thanks. Rear wheel steering,
LCD screens just about everywhere, new bucket seats, and gear
selector that rivals that of the Viking 92’ bow thruster. All of
these systems will probably require at least a weekend and a
bottle of scotch to learn, but I am sure once they are mastered
will provide the driver with an effortless commute on the LIE
@ 7am traveling at a blistering 15mph.

Porsche is claiming the new Panamera is the fastest production
sedan in the world. Yes we have all seen the video from the
Ring by now. For me this is not the selling point. For years I
have been saying if you want a sedan buy a MB S550 since @
100K purchase price you get all the luxuries a sports sedan can
offer. NO LONGER. Porsche designers have stepped up their
game and gone beyond the wish list of all the enthusiasts and
soon to be former 7 series and S class clientele. The
arrangement of gauges and driver position in relation to the
road is comparable only to the 911. I have no doubt that this
will be the best selling Porsche to hit the showroom floor, ever.
At a starting price of 100K (yeah right), it is going to crush both
BMW and Mercedes from every aspect. If your in the market
for a wicked fast luxury sedan and have what I am guessing
around 125K in cash burning a hole in your pocket call your
Porsche dealer and get on the list now. The 2017 Panamera is
sure to be the hottest car on the road this winter.

---