Porsche Panamera Styled by TechArt Premieres at Frankfurt Motor Show

The Porsche tuning specialist TechArt is performing the world premiere of its styling program for the new Panamera sports saloon at the 2009 IAA or as we've all come to know it, the Frankfurt motorshow. Initially, the German firm's program for the Panamera S, 4S and Turbo models that will be available from this December includes a bodykit, new alloy wheels and interior components. For those that want more, TechArt is planning to introduce additional customization options as well as performance upgrades for all Panamera models in the beginning of 2010.

The Panamera's looks are accentuated by the new Aerokit 1 (yes, a more aggressively styled kit is on its way) that includes a front spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper with diffuser, roof spoiler, decorative strips for the air outlets on the front fenders and the headlamps and a rear wing. According to the tuner, the kit has been optimized to increase downforce at high speeds.

The Turbo model can be equipped with a pair of LED daytime running lights while all models get a set of new dual oval stainless steel tailpipes. Buyers can also choose between 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels.

For the interior, TechArt's program comprises of a unique two-colour leather finishing in teak and black with matching decorative stitching and a roof liner in the same colored Alcantara. A new sport steering wheel along with instrument dials in individual colours and special decorative elements for the center console, dashboard, and doors options are also in the mix.

Russia's TopCar Releases New Photos of Custom Porsche Panamera Stingray

We first told you about TopCar's performance program for the new Porsche Panamera way back in December 2008 when the Russian tuning house released an initial set of teaser sketches. Now, TopCar has published the first photos (though, keep in mind that the pics may be photoshoped) of its customized Porsche Panamera that is believed to make its first public outing at the forthcoming Essen Tuning show in Germany towards the end of November.

The tuning firm did not accompany the images with a press release, but from what we gather, the Panamera seen here is equipped with the basic bodykit dubbed 'Stingray' which has been designed by another Russian company called Cardi.

The carbon-fiber aerodynamics package includes redesigned front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a fixed rear wing and a new bonnet with air vents. The kit is rounded off by a new set of beefier alloy wheels.

According to a previous release, TopCar is also working on an even more aggressive bodykit that essentially replaces every external body panel of the Panamera aside from the rooftop.

It is also said that the Russians have joined forces with famed Porsche tuner 9ff which will handle all the performance upgrades as well as the production of both bodykits.

Malignant Rumors: VW Planning to Reshape Porsche's Model Portfolio, Drop Cayenne and Panamera?

The biggest of the boardroom battles between VW and Porsche may be over, but that hasn't done much to stop the usual rumors from making the rounds. First, Germany's Autobild reported that VW CEO Martin Winterkorn was pushing for a couple of volume vehicles - a baby Boxster and junior Cayenne - and a third, Panamera-based, model. More recently, however, Car magazine is claiming that VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech wants to take the Porsche brand in another direction, pushing it back to its roots.

How? By killing off the Cayenne and Panamera once they have run through their respective life cycles, the argument being that VW AG produces more than enough sedans and SUVs already.

The big questions are: 1) How would people feel if Porsche aced its controversial (if popular) Cayenne and the new Panamera, and instead concentrated on strictly building sports cars? and2) What sort of lineup would we be looking at?

After all, a baby Boxster would be right in line with the old Porsche philosophy, and a larger GT would help make use of the Panamera's platform if the humpback saloon did indeed bite the dust. Of course, no one but the suits within the company know what's really going on, but it's always fun to speculate.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had an obsession with cars and travel. Currently he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. If for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

Gemballa Mistrale: Teaser Shots of Spiced Up Porsche Panamera

These teaser photos of the Gemballa-prepped Mistrale appeared on the internet today providing us with our first glimpse of the German tuning firm's take on the Panamera sports sedan. The company has not published any official information on the Mistrale but it's almost certain that aside from the exterior appointments, Gemballa's sport package will also comprise of chassis and engine upgrades.

From what we can tell, the Mistrale's bodykit consists of a new front bumper that includes a carbon fiber lip, air vents on the hood, a new rear skirt with integral diffuser, additional air vents and larger tail pipes plus a carbon fiber rear wing and a decorative reflector strip with firm's name between the tail lights. The beefier 22-inch alloy wheels finished in black complete the exterior styling changes.

Via: Autoblog.nl

Porsche gets Personal with Panamera: New Customization Options

As with the rest of its range, Porsche is giving Panamera buyers the option to customize their car with the launch of a new personalization program that comprises of unique exterior and interior features and components fitted straight at the factory or later by the dealer. For the Panamera's cabin, customers can choose from a variety of options including a full leather treatment, special wood, aluminum or carbon decorative trims, unique instrument faces in different colors and even embossed Porsche logo on the front and rear headrests.

Other highlights of the individual program include a cooling box with a capacity of 10.5 liters positioned between the two single seats at the rear that comes with two special glasses bearing the Porsche logo, a complete set of cases and bags tailored to the luggage compartment, a 12 V cooling bag and a rear-end bicycle rack made of aluminum and finished in matt black.

Porsche customers can also enhance the Panamera's exterior with body-colored parts such as the air intake grids at the front, the air outlet grids in the car's wings behind the front wheels and the rear panel and diffuser as well as a special wheel and tyre combination for summer and winter driving ranging in size from 18 to 20 inches.

Porsche Panamera Turbo Allegedly Laps the Nurburgring in 7:56 , Beats the CTS-V by 3 Sec

If the report on German magazine Sportauto is true and rally legend and Porsche test driver, Walter Röhrl, did indeed lap the Nordschleife track in 7 minutes and 56 seconds with the new Panamera Turbo, then there goes Cadillac's claim for having the fastest sedan on the block. We remind you that the 556HP CTS-V's 7:59.32 run of the Nurburgring Nordschleife in May 2008, was thought to be the fastest-ever lap time for a production sedan.

To refresh your memory, the Turbo is the fastest and most powerful version in the Panamera range. Fitted with Porsche's all-wheel drive system as standard, it is powered by a 4.8-liter turbocharged V8 that makes 500HP at 6,000 rpm and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm (770Nm or 567 lb-ft with overboost in conjunction with the Sports Chrono pack).

The Panamera Turbo reaches 100km/h (62mph) from rest in 4.2 sec or 4.0 sec with the Sports Chrono package, and can go on to a top speed of 303km/h or 188mph.

Aside from stirring fiery conversations on forum boards and websites as well as offering Porsche some bragging rights, we can't see any other use for these lap time records. Our opinion is that, as in the case of the Nissan GT-R and the Corvette ZR1, the Nordschleife lap times shouldn't be taken seriously by the majority of people that are actually interested in buying of one of these cars.

Via: Sportauto , Hat tip to Marcus!