Currently reading: Porsche plots two-door Panamera as BMW 8 Series rival
More practical alternative to the 911 could be revealed as early as next year

Porsche is understood to be developing two-door coupé and cabrio versions of the Porsche Panamera designed to rival the BMW 8 Series and Aston Martin Vantage

According to reports, which senior figures at the firm have not denied, Porsche is developing the two variants of its grand tourer for a planned unveiling next year. The cars are designed to offer enhanced practicality and space over the Porsche 911 but still be considered as 2+2s rather than outright four-seaters. 

Asked about the possibility of such cars, Porsche design boss Michael Mauer, who designed the original Panamera, said: “As a designer there are no limits to what I can conceive. I believe it is the design department’s role to sketch and consider every model it can for the future so that we are ready should anyone wish to pursue a project. 

“But if you are asking me to confirm if such projects are on the way then you are going to be disappointed. It is not my role to consider such things.” 

Reports in German media suggest plans for the cars are already well advanced and speculate that they will sit on shortened versions of the Panamera’s MSB platform. Were a version of the 2015 Bentley EXP10 Speed 6 concept to be given the go-ahead (unlikely, given recent reports), it is possible that this too could use the platform, bringing a further economy of scale. 

There is also a suggestion the cars will not carry the Panamera name, to fit a sportier, less practical end of the market. But powertrain options are expected to be taken from the Panamera range and include a plug-in hybrid option, given the need to reduce overall fleet emissions and the fact that more than half of European Panamera buyers opt for that set-up at present.

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madmac 26 April 2019

Yes I went from a TTRS+ to an

Yes I went from a TTRS+ to an RS3, more practical, but my wife wants it so am waiting for the M3Xdrive to compare to an RS5 Sportback.Agree Panamera is too big for narrow Scottish roads,and agree with Wilson they are very wide.I also think this is wild speculation as even the Panamera is selling poorly.

Happyfeet 25 April 2019

My Oh My!

If Porche builds it, they will come!

Happyfeet 25 April 2019

Correction

I meant Porsche....

Boris9119 26 April 2019

Its Okay

It's okay Happyfeet, we knew what you meant. Porsche customers are very 'picky' as Porsche knows, hence the retreat on GT3 not being offered with manual transmission, that being but the most recent example. We do not buy when we are not endeared, hence 718's used command less than previous gen, and that is true of 911's from previous gen's. Yes there is a loyal following, even fanatical, but the vast majority are not badge snobs. We keep Porsche honest, they spank us with the options pricing!

Citytiger 25 April 2019

I thought VAG

are canning the TT because no one wants a 2 door coupe anymore.. 

Boris9119 26 April 2019

Nope

It's not so much that "no one wants a 2 door coupe anymore", its that most hairdressers have moved on...