Porsche plans Panamera convertible
Porsche AG plans to launch a convertible version of its Panamera four-door sedan.
Company insiders say the Panamera cabriolet will have two doors and is likely to cost about 11,000 euros ($16,000) more than the Panamera sedan, which retails for 94,575 euros in Germany,
The four-seat Panamera convertible only will have two doors to increase the rigidity of the car's body and limit the weight increase from adding the folding-roof mechanism.
Porsche has not officially confirmed that it will make a Panamera convertible, but a top executive hinted that more variants of the car are likely.
"We have a broad range of 14 derivatives of the 911 that are very successful," development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer told Automobilwoche. "So it stands to reason we should diversify the lineup for the Panamera as well."
Volkswagen AG, which is in the process of taking over Porsche AG, could use the Panamera platform for one of its brands, which include Bentley and Audi.
"The new Porsche (Panamera) offers the potential for synergies," a VW supervisory board source said.
VW builds Panamera painted bodies for Porsche at its plant in Hanover, Germany. The cars are finished at Porsche's factory in Leipzig, Germany.
Automotive News -- In-depth coverage of the automotive industry
Company insiders say the Panamera cabriolet will have two doors and is likely to cost about 11,000 euros ($16,000) more than the Panamera sedan, which retails for 94,575 euros in Germany,
The four-seat Panamera convertible only will have two doors to increase the rigidity of the car's body and limit the weight increase from adding the folding-roof mechanism.
Porsche has not officially confirmed that it will make a Panamera convertible, but a top executive hinted that more variants of the car are likely.
"We have a broad range of 14 derivatives of the 911 that are very successful," development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer told Automobilwoche. "So it stands to reason we should diversify the lineup for the Panamera as well."
Volkswagen AG, which is in the process of taking over Porsche AG, could use the Panamera platform for one of its brands, which include Bentley and Audi.
"The new Porsche (Panamera) offers the potential for synergies," a VW supervisory board source said.
VW builds Panamera painted bodies for Porsche at its plant in Hanover, Germany. The cars are finished at Porsche's factory in Leipzig, Germany.
Automotive News -- In-depth coverage of the automotive industry
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