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It’s only been a week since Porsche released a teaser image of its forthcoming Panamera partially revealing the vehicle’s front-end but tuners are already preparing to introduce their proposals for the sport sedan. One of the first tuning firms to announce that it is readying a series of performance and styling upgrades for the Panamera is 9ff, a German tuning firm that specializes on Porsche models. Even though the Stuttgart-based automaker has yet to disclose pictures of its new sports sedan, the German tuner released a pair of teaser renderings showing the Panamera equipped with bespoke alloys and from what we gather, a light bodykit that includes side skirts and a rear diffuser with integrated dual exhaust pipes. If you’re wondering how accurate these renderings may be, we reckon they’re pretty close to the real thing.

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Porsche released the first official teaser for its upcoming Panamera sedan just four days ago to coincide with the start of the company’s official marketing campaign for the car, due to go on sale in the first half of next year. Despite the launch date quickly approaching, engineers are still finetuning the car as revealed by this latest series of spy shots of an almost undisguised prototype testing at Germany’s Nurburgring.

Whether you love it or loathe it, the Panamera will likely change the performance sedan market forever. Buoyed by the success of the Cayenne SUV, Porsche’s managers have seen fit to put their famous badge on a car almost as big as a Mercedes S-Class.

Early reports indicate the Panamera will stretch almost five meters in length and more than two meters across, while tipping the scales at around 1,800kg. Owners of the top-of-the-line 4.8L V8 Turbo model will be looking at a kerb weight of almost two tons.

Porsche will launch the Panamera with three engine choices – a 3.6L V6 with 300hp (224kW), a naturally-aspirated 4.8L V8 with 405hp (302kW), and a 4.8L Turbo model with approximately 520hp (388kW). Even with the base model owners will be able to hit 250km/h, however the Turbo will be capable of nudging the 300km/h mark. The Panamera will also be used to showcase Porsche’s commitment to eco-technology, with the introduction of a hybrid model using the 3.6L V6 mated to a 110hp (82kW) electric motor.

Base prices should start at €80,000 for the V6 RWD model and go up to €125,000 for the Turbo AWD variant (U.S. prices will most likely be lower). Porsche will expand its workforce by almost 1,000 to cater for Panamera production and the company hopes to sell 30,000 units a year.

Sales will begin in early 2009 but only the V8 models will be available at first. The V6 version isn’t expected to arrive until 2010, while the hybrid is slated for a 2011 release.

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Even though we’re still a few months away from the official debut of the new Panamera, Porsche has rolled out the first teaser image of its long-awaited fourth model series that will join the 911, Boxster/Cayman and Cayenne. The cryptic photo shows that the four-door, four seat Panamera features a further evolution of Porsche’s characteristic family face with tear-shaped headlamps and a pair of LED day time running lights incorporating the turn indicators. According to the German automaker, the release of the teaser image coincides with the beginning of an advertising campaign for the sports sedan which includes the launch of the Panamera Online Magazine at porsche.com/panamera. The next phase of the advertising campaign will be on 20 October with double-page ads in leading news and business magazines, again offering a sneak preview of Porsche’s latest model.

The new Panamera sedan is expected to enter the market in early 2009 where it will be offered initially with naturally aspirated and turbocharged V8 engines followed by a smaller V6 gasoline unit. In late 2010 – early 2011, Porsche will also introduce the Panamera Hybrid featuring a full-hybrid design where the hybrid module (clutch and electric motor) is positioned between the combustion engine (presumably a V6 unit) and the transmission, while the battery pack will be located in the luggage compartment. The parallel hybrid system will allow the Panamera to operate with the gasoline engine, the electric motor or a combination of both.

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AutoWeek apparently has it on good authority that Porsche has plans for a diesel engine not just for its Cayenne Sport Utility, but also for its upcoming sedan, the Panamera. The Panamera will assuredly be getting a gasoline engine, perhaps mirroring the Cayenne’s V6 and V8 options, and will also be equipped with an optional hybrid drivetrain which will likely feature the direct-injected 3.6 liter V6 engine. Porsche had been hesitant to offer an oil-burner in its range of sportscars, but perhaps the sedan would benefit from the increased fuel mileage a diesel engine would offer.

We don’t know what diesel engine is slated for the Panamera, but the Cayenne will be getting a 3.0 liter turbo diesel V6 engine from Audi, so that seems a distinct possibility for the sedan as well. Porsche could also choose an Audi diesel V8 engine or even the Volkswagen diesel V10 or 6.0-liter Audi diesel V12 if they fit underhood. Also spinning in the rumormill are Focus-like fender vents and a targa top.

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Over the last year or so, Porsche has been grabbing chunks of Volkswagen, slowly but surely. It is clear what the German manufacturer of luxurious sportscars is attempting: a takeover of VW, which is the largest automaker in Germany. There are still laws and regulations standing it its way, but Porsche may have the backing of the European Union, which could have the power to change laws currently protecting Volkswagen from a takeover. It has long been assumed that Porsche’s plan was to lump its products along with the more fuel efficient models from VW, which could allow the company to avoid paying large fines for not meeting carbon output regulations.

As it stands right now, Porsche seemingly has no choice but to offer more fuel efficient and lower emission models. To that end, it has announced hybrid versions of its Cayenne and upcoming Panamera sedan. Also possible is a diesel engine for its utility vehicle. By gobbling up Volkswagen, Porsche could dial back on these fuel-saving models and get back to its high performance ways without fear of excessive penalties.

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