A debut for Porsche's four-door Panamera, which already garnered much attention in its development stages, has been set.
The manufacturer has announced that its new four-door Panamera will be shown for the first time at Auto Shanghai in China on April 19.
Porsche SA previously told Wheels24 that the sedan will be available in South Africa from 2010.
The four-door, four-seater Gran Turismo will be powered by a range of six- and eight-cylinder powerplants with direct fuel injection. Power outputs will range from 223 kW to 373 kW.
At debut, a naturally aspirated V8 model and the flagship bi-turbo V8 will be showcased.
V6 and naturally aspirated V8 models come standard with rear-wheel drive, while the range-topping turbocharged model features PTM (Porsche Traction Management) with lightweight active all-wheel drive.
Depending on the model, a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox is available.
And while variable dampers come standard with the steel suspension, adaptive air suspension is an option, too. In Sport Plus Mode, the car can be lowered further to improve its centre of gravity and increase its aerodynamic potency.
Another option, Porsche's Dynamic Chassis Control, will then compensate for body roll in bends while increasing smoothness on bumpy roads, the manufacturer says.