Baby Panamera to be added to Porsche's lineup?

How many variations of single model are possible? Porsche currently offers twenty-two different versions of the 911 (997) on their (NA) website. Is Porsche planning to expand the line-up with a smaller, less expensive, sportier “baby” Panamera? After a lot of intensive snooping around, the answer is a definitive… maybe.

Rumors have been swirling lately about a smaller, “entry level” Panamera. At the moment what’s known is that there is a Porsche project code-named “Pajun”, it’s focused on a smaller Panamera platform derivative and if it gets the green light we could see it by 2016. Beyond that we, the automotive press, are largely guilty of pure speculation and conjecture. 

So, what are the rumors? For starters, the “Pajun” would be aimed at BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class customers. Think of the Panamera as a 7-series or S-class by comparison. Bottom of the range “Pajun’s” would be a V6 powered petrol engine in the 400 horsepower range. Top of the range cars would get a V8 power making something like 500+ horsepower. There is also speculation that a 300 horsepower diesel and certainly hybrid power would be optional. Porsches newest turbo flat-4 (under development) could even find it’s way under the bonnet, though it’s unlikely in car at this price point. Rear-wheel drive would be standard, optional all-wheel drive is a possibility. And there are even rumors of a “GT” pseudo-track day version, similar to the GT3 treatment of the 911, to compete with the M5 and S6.

Interestingly, there are more than a few 2-door coupe renderings floating around out there in the cyber-either. Some have speculated that a shortened Panamera platform would make an excellent modern 928.  Others seem to think the “Pajun” will remain a four-door but will focus on the front seat passengers (sort of a 2+2) with a much lower, more elegant coupe like roofline, similar to the Mercedes CLS, or the original 928. The argument against a coupe? With a larger, more spacious 911 on the horizon (998) one wonders how much cross shopping within the Porsche brand customers might do should a “Pajun” coupe surface.

The target price for standard V6 “Pajun” is said to be in the €60K range ($85K US), undercutting the Panamera by about €20K.

How much of this “information” is true and whether any of this will come to pass remains to be seen. If the number of 911 models is any indication, Porsche may well try to squeeze out as many Panamera variations as possible.  Whatever happens at Porsche, Autoviva will keep you updated.