Given the extended gestation period that has defined the introduction of the new Panamera, it's rather fitting that Porsche has released details of its new four-door 'saloon' nine months before it is due to go on sale.

Panameras will be born at the rate of 20,000 per year in Leipzig in Germany, bringing together body shells made in VW's Hanover plant and engines from Zuffenhausen. To reach that heady number of sales, Porsche will offer a wide range of variants.

Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission will both be standard, while some models will receive four-wheel drive and Porsche's new twin-clutch PDK gearbox should be an option throughout the range.

Although Porsche has not confirmed that the Panamera will be available with a diesel engine, its press release made mention of V6 and V8 engines between 300- and 500bhp, which suggests the possibility of the Audi TDI unit fitted to the new Cayenne Diesel making its way into the Panamera. A hybrid version is also under development, while the range topping models will feature turbocharged, direct-injection petrol-fuelled V8s.

Porsche has not released any images of the Panamera's cabin as yet, though it's known to accommodate four occupants with the rear seats movable to increase luggage space. The 'boot' is accessed via a hatchback-like rear end and Porsche reckons there is plenty of room for four passengers' clobber.

We'll reserve judgement on the car's looks until we see it for ourselves at the Geneva Show in March, while the Panamera will hit Porsche showrooms by the end of the summer next year.

Shane O' Donoghue - 24 Nov 2008