Never mind frowning 911 fans and motoring journalists: launching the Cayenne SUV in 2002 and expanding its portfolio with a notchback sedan was probably the move that saved Porsche.
Buyers voted with their wallets, the SUV was a huge sales success and, ironically, it also brought in new customers and the much-needed cash that made developing the 911 and the Boxster possible.
The second-generation Cayenne is doing very nicely too and will be joined in 2013 by the smaller, Audi Q5-based Macan, further increasing Porsche’s clientele and helping reach the 200,000 annual sales target.
Building the Panamera saloon was much easier to swallow for the purists since it promised to encompass 911 attributes in a concept much closer to the Porsche’s sporting character, but with added practicality.
Porsche’s engineers already have a busy schedule. They are currently working on not only the Macan but also more versions of the new 911 like the GT3, the Panamera facelift that’s due for 2013, the Enzo-rivaling 918 Spyder supercar and, if the rumors are true, a shooting brake version of the Panamera. But that’s not all…
The carmaker has been mulling a smaller saloon to rival models like the BMW 5-Series for quite some time now, making the “family Porsche” experience affordable to a wider audience. According to a CAR magazine report, the project has been green-lighted and the “baby Panamera”, tentatively named Pajun, is already being developed.
The Pajun (don’t fret at the name, the Macan was also initially known as Cajun) will be based on a new modular platform named MSB, which will also underpin the second-generation Panamera that will launch at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
According to the report, the new platform is similar in concept to the smaller MQB. It will be used for sports cars and is flexible enough to accommodate front-, mid- or rear-engine configurations as well as rear- and four-wheel drive. It will be just under five meters long and will be pitted not only against executive saloons but also against the new wave of four-door coupes such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS, Audi A7 Sportback and BMW6-Series Gran Coupe.
Like the Panamera, the Pajun will be a five-door liftback, although, after the flak Porsche received for the former’s styling, expect a more athletic styling for the saloon as well as the shooting brake (nee estate) version.
On the other hand, the Panamera’s interior has been universally acclaimed for its design and quality and has greatly influenced all the other models in Porsche’s line-up so expect something in the same lines for the Pajun.
So far, Porsche has made sure that the Boxster/Cayman duo delivered the goods but, even in its top version, it did not encroach on the most expensive (and profitable) 911 space. In much the same way the €60,000-100,000 Pajun will offer buyers options such as the PDK double-clutch gearbox, ceramic brakes, PASM active suspension, sport chrono package et all, but as far as performance is concerned, it will be pegged bellow the Panamera v2.0.
Buyers will reportedly be able to choose from two petrol V6s, a naturally aspirated unit with around 320bhp and a twin-turbo with a 100 extra ponies, while an even more potent Turbo S is in the cards.
Also on offer will be the Audi-sourced 3.0-liter diesel V6 that currently powers the Panamera. Said 250HP unit is frugal but clearly not brawny enough for the Panamera and will be replaced with a much more powerful V8 TDI.
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