Rumormill: Porsche could create Panamera convertible ?

May 6th, 2009

Rumors about a coupe version of the Porsche Panamera were circulating before the sedan was even officially announced, and while a 928 successor has potential, a convertible version of the four-door Panamera seems downright absurd. However, according to an interview conducted by Auto Motor und Sport with Porsche development head Wolfgang Dürheimer, a drop-top Panamera is feasible – if not entirely likely. Dürheimer is quoted as saying (translated), "Currently, this topic is not on the agenda. We have other homework to do, such as the six-cylinder. And then the Panamera will also have a hybrid engine." As expected, AMuS runs with it, saying that the Panamera convertible would pack a cloth soft-top rather than a retractable hard-top, in keeping with Porsche's convertible 911 variants and Boxster. Of course, a Panamera cabrio would be a huge gamble, particular as the standard sedan hasn't even gone on sale and Porsche is unable to gauge reaction to its first four-door model. If nothing else, Porsche could use the platform that underpins the Panamera to create a new FR coupe, spawning a drop-top variant further down the road.