Porsche Plans Secret Weapon To Battle BMW 8 Series

Aug. 29, 2020 6:10 AM ET by Martin Bigg Sports Cars / 3 Comments

Effectively, it would be a modern successor to the Porsche 928.

For the first time in its model history, the Panamera now sports a Turbo S badge. Debuting as part of the recent mid-cycle 2021 model facelift and replacing the outgoing Turbo model, the updated Porsche Panamera Turbo S is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. This was enough power to enable the performance sedan to set a new executive car lap record at the Nurburgring. But there's another Panamera variant that still hasn't broken cover, according to reports.

For years, rumors have claimed that Porsche is planning to build a two-door coupe and cabriolet version of the Panamera. Effectively, it would be a modern-day version of the Porsche 928 and compete with the new BMW 8 Series, Aston Martin Vantage, and the new Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster

Porsche still doesn't sell a two-door version of the Panamera, but the Panamera's product line chief Thomas Friemuth confirmed in an interview with Australia's Motoring that the project is still under consideration.

"We have not finally decided yet. So we are just discussing this topic for several years as you can imagine since other competitors also have two-door cars," said Friemuth. "Be we're not finally yet ready to decide whether to do this or not. We have quite a nice two-door car in our program called the 911. "[But] We are always looking at new opportunities to get new markets and more customers. I can talk about it when we have the decision for it - not yet. I have a lot of ideas."

If it gets the green light for production, the 928 spiritual successor will likely ride on a shortened version of the same platform underpinning the current Panamera. It would be larger than the 911, with a 2+2-seat configuration offering space for up to four occupants. Under the hood, we would expect it to share the same V6 and V8 gasoline and hybrid powertrains. It remains to be seen if it would still be called the Panamera, but it could adopt a new name.

Judging from Friemuth's comments, a two-door Porsche Panamera isn't high on the automaker's list of priorities right now, so it probably won't be based on the current-generation Panamera if it enters production.

Source Credits: Motoring

Porsche Plans Secret Weapon To Battle BMW 8 Series

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