Last month had been a remarkable month for the Porsche Panamera as it topped US sales compared to other Porsche models, the first time for the Panamera.

Porsche sold 1747 vehicles last month, six percent lower than its sales on the same month last year. Of these 1747 units, Panamera had the highest share.

• Porsche Panamera – 678 units
• Porsche Boxster – 219 units
• Porsche Cayman – 135 units
• Porsche 911 – 389 units
• Porsche Cayenne – 326 units

Press release below:

New Gran Turismo defies the difficult market environment

Panamera is Porsche’s best-selling model in the USA for the first time

Stuttgart. In April the Panamera became Porsche’s best-selling model in the US for the first time. A record number of 678 customers chose the four-passenger Gran Turismo. The premium sports car manufacturer had to operate in a difficult overall market environment and sold 1,747 units from its current model lines to US customers. This is a fall of around six percent on the same month last year.

In addition to the Panamera, which has been available on the US market since October 2009, the Boxster and Cayman mid-engine models both had good news to report: 219 units of the Boxster were sold, a rise of around 28 percent compared to April 2009, and 135 units of the Cayman were sold, three percent up on last April. Deliveries of the 911 model fell 42 percent to 389 units compared to the same period last year. The Cayenne posted a life-cycle related decline of about 63 percent to 326 vehicles. The new generation of the sporty SUV will be launched on the US market starting in July 2010, and it will also be available for the first time as a technically demanding parallel full hybrid model. The Cayenne S Hybrid consumes only 8.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers in the New European Driving Cycle, which is the equivalent of 193 grams per kilometer in CO2 emissions.

A total of 3176 units of 2010 Porsche Panamera models are being recalled due to a seat belt problem. The said recall involves the Porsche Panamera S, 4S, and Turbo models.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall is done because of the possibility that the seat belt on the driver’s side could get detached when the belt is in extreme forward position. This is dangerous when the seat belt is in the said position and a crash happens, detaching the belt and increasing the likelihood of a serious injury.

An additional locking device will be incorporated in the Panamera vehicles during the recall. The overall repair is estimated at about 15 minutes.

The Porsche Panamera has got a new body kit, courtesy of Techart. It’s all black this time, from front to rear, interior to exterior.

The said kit contains new enhancements that give the Panamera a more serious look. Here are some of what you’ll see in the Panamera Black Edition:

• Black daytime running lights
• Sports exhaust system
• Black 22-inch Techart Formula II light alloy wheels
• Techart calipers
• Black leather, hand-sewed flamenco red stitching, and seams in the interior

Even the smallest add-ons in the Panamera are matte-black-painted. Examples of these are its cup holder, entry guards, and other interior accessories.

The coming Beijing Motor Show will witness the unveiling of two new Panamera models: the base Porsche Panamera and the Panamera 4. The said models will feature a direct-injection 3.6-liter engine that’s capable of producing 300 horsepower and 295 lbs-ft of torque—no wonder they will be cheaper than the Panamera S.

The base Panamera will be driven by rear wheels while the Panamera 4 will be equipped with an all-wheel drive. Both will also have available adaptive air suspension as an option. The base Panamera is priced at $74,400 while the Panamera 4 has a starting price of $78,900. The said models will be reaching the United States in June.

Press Release:

Porsche Adds New Panamera Models to its Gran Turismo Lineup

Sporting a new 300-horsepower V6 engine, the Panamera and Panamera 4 deliver Porsche driving excitement, high comfort, and excellent fuel efficiency

ATLANTA – February 16, 2010 Porsche Cars North America today announced the addition of two new Panamera models, just three months after successfully launching the first four-door Gran Turismo in three V8 flavors: the Panamera S, the Panamera 4S and the Panamera Turbo.

The Panamera and Panamera 4, the model line’s new entry level versions, will be in Porsche dealerships in June 2010. Both feature a brand-new 3.6-liter V6 with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) developing 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Panamera transmits its power to the road via the rear wheels, while the Panamera 4 comes standard with active all-wheel drive. U.S. models will include Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), Porsche’s new and revolutionary seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, as standard equipment.

The Panamera and Panamera 4 are examples of the Porsche Intelligent Performance development strategy. Equipped with the PDK gearbox and the Auto Start Stop function, Porsche expects these new models to be considerably more fuel efficient than their normally aspirated V8 siblings. Official U.S. EPA fuel economy figures will be announced closer to the new models on-sale date, and both meet the strict EU5 emission standard in Europe and the LEV standard in the United States. And like all Panamera models, they are not subject to a gas-guzzler tax.

Porsche has always focused on superior efficiency and performance, and in the case of these new Panamera models these long-held tenets are not mutually exclusive. One example of this ideal combination of qualities is consistent lightweight construction with the axles, doors, hood, front fenders and tailgate all made of aluminum. Likewise, the brand new 90-degree angle V6 powerplant built at Porsche’s engine plant in Zuffenhausen is approximately 66 lbs. lighter than the Porsche V8 in the Panamera S and 4S. This contributes to the low overall curb weight, which in the case of the Panamera with the PDK transmission is just 3,880 lbs. (1,730 kg).

Like the proven V8 models, both the Panamera and the Panamera 4, as genuine Gran Turismos, combine a sporting character with a high standard of comfort and everyday driving qualities. Steel suspension with variable dampers is standard, and adaptive air suspension with additional air volume on demand is available as an option. This provides a wide range of suspension qualities and features, with a high level of motoring comfort on the one hand and extremely sporting driving dynamics on the other.

Both models will be making their world debut at the Beijing Motor Show on April 23, 2010. The Panamera and Panamera 4 MSRPs are $74,400 and $78,900, respectively.

Last year, I posted the first commercial of the Porsche Panamera, the family tree commercial that I found on You Tube. While doing my regular web browsing a while ago, I stumbled upon a video at AutoBlog that shows behind-the-scene footages during the making of the said commercial.

AutoBlog has given the figures involved in the making of the said video: 50 Porsche models, 22 professional drivers, 160 crew members, and 2 helicopter pilots. With this great number of professionals involved, it’s no wonder the video was amazing. You just have to watch it at AutoBlog.

TECHART Trio is completed

January, test ground Malmsheim. Sub-zero temperatures – but the team of TECHART Automobildesign has no trouble with the frostiness. There is too much pleasure for the two super athletes, who have left the production hall in Leonberg for the first time and are ready for a photo shooting.

TECHART has completed its Individualization Program for the Porsche Panamera model range. As of now, sportscar lovers are able to get the Panamera S and the all-wheel-driven Panamera 4S refined according their own vision.

TECHART in every detail

OE quality in every detail – true to the own brand principle TECHART has developed the Individualization Program for the Panamera model range in its well-known and extraordinary style. Only genuine TECHART individualization reflects the typical TECHART design philosophy – technical and aesthetical, visible and invisible.

The Aerodynamic Kit I presents the four-seater in an elegant and excitingly sporty way. The three part front spoiler discreetly hallmarks the dynamic front apron of the Panamera. At the same time, it reduces effectively the buoyant forces at the front axle

and ensures optimal flow of cooling air to the braking system.

The transmission of power to the road is the job of a choice of elegant 21-inch TECHART Formula or sporty 22-inch TECHART Formula II light-metal wheels. For the necessary road holding, TECHART recommends Conti Sport Contact 3 tires or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires.

Quality and dynamics – in the interior as well as at the exterior

TECHART handcrafted interiors are world famous for an extraordinary level of quality and accuracy. For the Panamera model range, TECHART is presenting exclusive two-color leather finishing in teak and black. Decorative stitching with matching yarn, a roof liner in the same colored Alcantara, details such as interior color-matched roof handles and foot mats with leather edging in the color teak give rise to extensive individualization. The new TECHART precious wood trims are being used for the first time in the Panamera model range. The prized ash veneer with a tactile grain decorates the doors, the dashboard and center console.

Visit TECHART in Hall 2 at the Geneva International Motor Show from the 4th to the 14th of March 2010 and experience genuine TECHART Individualization – without sub-zero temperatures.

[Source: TECHART via World Car Fans]

Huge customer interest for the fourth Porsche model series

Stuttgart/Leipzig. Today, just three months after the new Panamera went on sale the 10,000th car rolled off the production line at the Leipzig plant of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart. The 500 HP platinum silver metallic Panamera Turbo will be delivered to a customer in Singapore.

Michael Macht, Chairman of the Board of Porsche AG: “Sales of the Panamera have really taken off: we have already secured over 9,000 orders. Shortly after it was launched our Gran Turismo won the coveted “Goldenes Lenkrad” ["Golden steering wheel"] and “Auto Trophy” awards in Germany. It has also won many international prizes.” The Panamera 4S is proving particularly popular and has a share of 44 per cent - putting it ahead of the Turbo (36 per cent) and the Panamera S (20 per cent).

The company plans to build 20,000 Panamera per year across the whole product cycle. The fourth Porsche model series is being manufactured at the Leipzig plant in the so-called model mix, sharing a production line with the Cayenne SUV. The innovative, highly streamlined production is seen as a model of technological and economic excellence for the automobile industry worldwide.

I found this video of the first commercial of the 2010 Porsche Panamera in Youtube, posted by eGMCarTech. The commercial shows all the Porsche vehicles forming a family tree, from the very first models to its latest Panamera, which the company refers to as the first true sports car for four.

Watch the video below:

[Photo: Checkered Blog]

How do you like a Porsche Panamera convertible?

Well, the possibility of that is not far as reports say that Porsche is preparing a drop top version of its popular Panamera. However, the new model will only sport two doors to increase its strength and compensate for the additional weight. Whether it will be a hard top or a soft top convertible, there is no final word yet.

Even Porsche officials haven’t formally said anything yet. However, according to Wolfgang Duerheimer of Porsche, “We have a broad range of 14 derivatives of the 911 that are very successful. So it stands to reason we should diversify the line-up for the Panamera as well.” Great possibility there, don’t you think?

The Porsche Panamera is now finally out in Germany, with its sales commencing last week. Unfortunately, the rest of us here may still have to wait for a month before we can have a taste of the Panamera luxury. The car will be offered in European and Asian countries, as well as South America, sometime this month. North America and Australia, however, will have to wait until next month for the said model.

If you’re eager to experience the Panamera and you happen to be visiting Germany at the first week of October, then this will be good news—Porsche will be offering the Panamera for rental through its partner, Avis. Starting October 1, you can find the Panamera S and 4S in major German cities and airports, waiting for you. Or, you can visit Avis locations for a Porsche Panamera rental.

This will be exclusively offered in Germany, and the price starts at 189 euro on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and 567 euro on weekends (Friday to Monday). Check out the press release at Motor Cities.