Most manufacturers like to put on a bit of a show when unveilling their special models, making a real event out of the affair. You can imagine, then, the extent a supercarmaker will go to for that extra ‘wow’ factor.

For the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, Porsche invited the press to the 94th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Centre – the world’s third tallest building – to preview the marque’s new four-door 2010 Porsche Panamera ahead of the Show’s opening.

The only challenge, of course, was getting the car up there.

Ordinarily, air-lifting would be the way to go, but among its features, the Shanghai World Financial Centre sports a freight lift that is, in Goldilocks’ words, “just right” for the job.

The five-metre long Panamera was driven onto a special ramp, which starts in a horizontal position and is then wheeled up into a vertical position, inside the elevator.

Once in place, the new Porsche began its 425 metre trek up the building, to the 94th floor, while armed guards ensure… well, nobody’s likely to attempt to steal a car from the top of a building, but you just never know.