We’ve been waiting for some decent pictures of the Porsche Panamera sedan to hit the internet and they have finally arrived. At last we can see some real detail and get an idea what this four door Porsche sedan actually looks like.

First impressions are that it well…looks like a Porsche. In fact at first glance from the front quarter it looks like they have taken a 997 and stretched it. However, ignore the remaining camouflage, false rear wing, the white dotted line around the windows and in our opinion the Panamera is starting to shape up, although from a distance with one eye partially closed and head tilted to the left, it still looks like a stretched 997.

The Panamera certainly isn’t distinctive and could easily be confused with a 997 by those not in the know but it is unmistakeably a Porsche albiet a somewhat awkward looking one.

Consider the Panamera in comparison to its likely competition, the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide and the Maserati Quattroporte and it looks a little plain but it will no doubt offer everyday driveability, which is something you may not feel comfortable attempting in your Aston or Maser.

We are intrigued by the rather small looking exhausts on this test mule. You wouldn’t think they would be running the Cayenne’s V8 through those little chokers which may indicate that this is a six-cylinder car. There is a six-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid version rumoured to be under development as well…

We aren’t saying that we like or dislike the Panamera at this stage. Any sedan style Porsche is going to receive its fair share of flack from the purists but from where we sit behind a computer screen it has some potential. The Panamera is expected to hit the road in 2009 as a 2010 model.

Source : LeftLaneNews