Panamera Marketing Begins . . .

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by n8marx

Don't laugh. VW does sell a minivan now. I don't think a Porsche version is that far a stretch. Imagine the class warfare that could erupt at soccer practice from the introduction of a Porsche mini-van. They'd sell oodles of 'em.

Ah, because nothing would say "I'm better than you" beter than a twin-turbo, 500hp minivan.

[kach22i]

Someone at work in earnest referred to the Porsche Cayenne SUV today as the "Porsche station wagon", it was funny but true.

Pictures of the new folly:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsGallery.aspx?AR=234400&EL=-1

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by n8marx

Don't laugh. VW does sell a minivan now. I don't think a Porsche version is that far a stretch. Imagine the class warfare that could erupt at soccer practice from the introduction of a Porsche mini-van. They'd sell oodles of 'em.

Lets just hope Porsche doesn't choose to re-body a Chrysler for their minivan. What in the hell was VW thinking?! All the Routan reviews say that material quality, driving experience, and fit/finish isn't up to normal VW standards. Ya think?!

And I would so buy a 500 HP twin turbo Porsche minivan (if I were loaded). If nothing else, it would be great for the sake of irony.

[the]

Mercedes makes a minivan (although probably not for much longer - another "what were you thinking?!? vehicle), so Porsche can too.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by the

Mercedes makes a minivan (although probably not for much longer - another "what were you thinking?!? vehicle), so Porsche can too.

Is that the Sprinter?

There is (was?) a Dodge version also. Actually, saw a Freightliner version also... I think.

Think I also saw a VW version in Italy also???

[the]

Originally Posted by tcar

Is that the Sprinter?

There is (was?) a Dodge version also. Actually, saw a Freightliner version also... I think.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I could handle an R63 AMG. 503 HP would get the kids to school on time.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by the

re 928

As in dead in the water after 13 years of production, and canceled completely after 16?

- yup

that is good for most any other car co.

[serge944]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

So now they've got the SUV and the sedan. When's the minivan and pickup truck coming out to round out the complete selloutness of the marque?

When the sports cars they turn out are no longer excellent, then you can play this card.

[serge944]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Lets just hope Porsche doesn't choose to re-body a Chrysler for their minivan. What in the hell was VW thinking?! All the Routan reviews say that material quality, driving experience, and fit/finish isn't up to normal VW standards. Ya think?!

And I would so buy a 500 HP twin turbo Porsche minivan (if I were loaded). If nothing else, it would be great for the sake of irony.

As always though, the VW's marketing campaign aint bad. Marry for love, not German Engineering.

Id love to have the TT Cayenne for getting to my ski trip destinations...quickly.

[the]

Originally Posted by RWebb

- yup

that is good for most any other car co.

But a dismal failure for Porsche, esp. for the car that was supposed to replace the 911. The 928 only made its sales target number for a few short years. In some years, there were only a few thousand sold.

That's the type of success Porsche is hoping for the Panamerica?

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by the

But a dismal failure for Porsche, esp. for the car that was supposed to replace the 911. The 928 only made its sales target number for a few short years. In some years, there were only a few thousand sold.

That's the type of success Porsche is hoping for the Panamerica?

How about the 944? Even a shorter production run than the 928, yet it managed to save Porsche, as a company....

[Schumi]

I like the front end show in the promo photo. Problem is I know what the back end looks like and I hate it.

I just hope that this newfound frontenginedness brings about a new 928.

And the marketing campaign thus far on their site.. with the short catchphrases and swooped pencil sketch art seems a bit too much like a Madzda or Infinity ad...

[kach22i]

Would be nice if it looked like this, any one here read Russian?

Older pictures from 2005 as seen in the NYT's.
http://www.dailycars.ru/cars/porsche/panamera_new.html




Jan 2008
http://www.sema.org/Main/ArticleDetail.aspx?contentID=58856


Jan 2008
http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/weblogs/garage/2008/01/porsche_announces_plans_for_hy_1.html


From Edmunds
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=121645#6

[livi]

Dr. Wendelin Wiedesnabell has made very few bad strategic marketing decisions since he took over at the wheels of PAG. I am pretty confident the Panamera will not be an exception.

That said, I am personally not jumping up and down at the exterior design, but that may change once I see it in the metal. Happened before.

[70SWT]

The *ss end of that thing is butt (no pun intended) ugly. People will not spend that kind of money for an ugly car, at least not for long.

Oh, and +1 to the post about only needing a pickup truck to complete the sellout of the Porsche name.

Porsche used to be a pseudo-exotic sports-car-only company. It had the chance to move its cache up a notch towards the Ferrari world.

Its recent moves all serve to firmly position it in the BMW/Mercedes luxury, but definitely not exotic, sector of the market. Which means nice profitability, but also guarantees plummeting resale/trade-in value for most of its products.

IOW, probably great for the company's bottom line, definitely bad for the enthusiast who buys new, and possibly good for those who buy used.

Not sure who wins, but the Porsche name loses.

[kach22i]

Change the hatch, and change the whole look of the car?

Maybe not, but it's one change I can at least hope for.

[porsche911girl]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

So now they've got the SUV and the sedan. When's the minivan and pickup truck coming out to round out the complete selloutness of the marque?

Amen to that!

[Sarc]

Looks like Lamborghini has thrown their hat into the ring as well.

from Paris:

[kach22i]

Nice tail on that Lambo, reminds me a little of the Austin Martin.

http://cars-pictures-wallpapers.blogspot.com/2008/05/austin-martin_22.html


And little bit Camaro.
http://www.weblo.com/domain/General/camaro.at/493677/


Picture of a 2009 Lambo at the track.
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x295/kach22i/Automobile/