It may very well be ugly, but I need to see one in person before making that judgement. Remember the initial Cayman S photos were not as flattering as the real thing!
My grandmother used to say, for every little he there is a little she. The car will sell, if for no other reason than it's brand.
The real question in my mind is whether the Panamera will sell in sufficient numbers to make it profitable. Unfortunately, it is being introduced into a very difficult market.
Far too early to make judgements, as not one of us has seen it yet.
From the pics thus far though, I quite like it. It is bold and a bit different, so already there is a huge leap on from Mercedes (who make everything look the same) and Lexus (who make everything look like a Mercedes)
Look at BMW. When they brought in their new range of Bangle drawn cars, everyone guffawed loudly, yet not only are they a sales success, when you you see a pre-Bangle BMW these days, they look like antiques. Personally I hated the Bangle 5 series when it came out, but I have grown to think it is one of the most striking cars on the road. BMW and Bangle were right all along, it just took the rest of us awhile to catch up. I'm prepared to bet the same will happen with the Panamera.
As to whether this is the right product for these times, well that's a whole different ball game.
Thr pics are definitely fugly. However the actual in the metal view may be different. I will reserve judgement. I am a serious buyer if the thing does not look like @ss.
Having gone from a E-39 540I( best sports sedan ever made) to a Cayman S - I never grew to like the bangalized 5 series. My dad has one and I hate to look at every time that I detail it for him. I hate the goofy lights in the front- I hate the random lines that go nowhere- and I truly despise the I drive. BMW sold out out to the business lease- soccer mom crowd and told the real car guys to take a hike-pretty much in those exact words. Not saying that I will never own another BMW but not high on my list at present.
Let's see the Panamera in the metal before we bash it.
The front is not bad but the upsweep 3/4 window makes the car look large and the rear look weird (love it on the Cayman). The air scoop in the side needs to be integrated into the design.
It should have presence due to its size. Would love a smaller 2+2 coupe with the flat six in the front with 911 DNA (as opposed to Cayenne DNA)
Its a 4-door 911 in its styling. How bad can that be?
It is beautiful, sound, enduring design even if not to everyone's initial liking. And "enduring" is what Porsche does and needs to keep doing and, with this car, has done again.
I'm reminded how popular it has been to call "ugly" one of the best automotive designs ever: the old beetle.
Its a 4-door 911 in its styling. How bad can that be?
It is beautiful, sound, enduring design even if not to everyone's initial liking. And "enduring" is what Porsche does and needs to keep doing and, with this car, has done again.
I'm reminded how popular it has been to call "ugly" one of the best automotive designs ever: the old beetle.
I am very pleased that Porsche did not just try to do another copy-cat big luxury car. Bimmer, Merc, Infinit, Lexus, Cadillac etc. all look pretty much cut from the same cookie cutter mold. THIS car, especially at the back end, look different from anything else on the road. And having a workable hatch back, rather than a plain old run-of-the-mill trunk, adds to the uniqueness.
As for VW, compare the classic Beetle shape, almost unchanged since the early 1940's, to the 411 model. What, can't remember the 411 station wagon? Or the Dasher? 'Nuff said...
Personally I love the rear better than the rest of the car. I'm tired of the old school three box design of all the other four doors. Anyone know if the rear seats fold down to make a great dog carrying express?
BMW just nixed their upscale new model so as said above you have to wonder if Porsche can price these to sell in the numbers that achieve profitability.
The concept sketch is stunning....the real thing...not.
BTW......anyone know the base cost yet? I went to the website (also got a promo pack in the mail today) and while the site is technologically wonderful.....I felt as though there was not real information easily obtained....just lots of links to links to articles..to history..etc..
I just wanted to get to the meat of it. The meat of it, is offered on all other models on the first page of the Porsche website....so I guess the Porsche marketing wizards want you to wade through 2 hours of stuff only to never reveal anything.
The front end and front fenders are very Porsche like and classy, the back end not so much. I would not say the rear is ugly but not curvy & sexy like the 911. The Boxster/Cayman platform has the best-looking rear end by far.
I like it from the front, not that much from the back, but I'm sure that when I see it on real, and take it for a drive I would love it, let's wait until we see it on the metal
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