The Porsche Panamera was introduced in 2009 as Porsche's first-ever four-door sedan and the first non-SUV, front-engined car since 1995. Much like the Cayenne SUV, the Panamera shares styling cues with the iconic 911, which enables it to stay true to the brand's heritage, despite being a significant departure from Porsche's sports car roots. Initially criticized by purists for straying off the company's path, the Panamera followed in the footsteps of the Cayenne and became a popular choice with luxury car enthusiasts. The sedan carried over unchanged until 2013 when it received a facelift that included minor design changes, a new twin-turbo engine and hybrid model, and a long-wheelbase version.

Ever since the Panamera hit the market there were rumors that Porsche is looking to expand the lineup with several body styles, including a shooting brake and a coupe. While the shooting brake has already been previewed by a concept car and spotted testing as a prototype, the Germans made no official statements about the two-door. Come 2016 and our trusty paparazzi caught an awkward Panamera test car on the move and we might finally have proof that Porsche is indeed looking to launch a large luxury coupe.

Details are still under wraps and some say that these awkward looking prototypes might be mules for the upcoming Continental GT, which will share underpinnings with the second-generation Panamera, but we think Porsche is pulling the trigger on a coupe that will essentially revive the 928. Keep reading to find out more about what it may bring to the table, and stay tuned for updates.

Updated 06/14/2016: Based on the recent spy shots, we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming Panamera Coupe. Let us know what do you think about it in the comments section below.

Continue reading to learn more about the upcoming Porsche Panamera Coupe.

2019 Porsche Panamera Coupe

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2019 Porsche Panamera Coupe
  • Engine/Motor: V10
  • Horsepower: 650
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Spy Shots

June 1, 2016 - First mule caught testing

Exterior

The mule may look like an awkward, shorter four-door Panamera, but don't let the rear doors fool you, Porsche is probably still testing the new platform that will make its debut in the second-generation sedan. And, while we might not know much about the new Panamera, the coupe's design isn't much of a mystery. We'll get a better idea when the new sedan arrives under the spotlight, but we expect the coupe to borrow the four-door's front end with a more aggressive bumper and larger front fender intakes.

Also look for a slightly lower windscreen and roof, and a completely redesigned rear section. A sportier roofline should replace the Panamera's already sleek top, together with a pair of beefed-up rear fenders and a retractable spoiler. We won't be surprised if Porsche meddles with the Panamera's rear end and gives the coupe a pair of slimmer taillights and a sportier bumper with a quad-pipe exhaust layout and a diffuser-like piece.

Also, we expect the coupe to be slightly wider than the sedan, which would give it better aerodynamics and more downforce. As with most modern Porsche cars, the Panamera coupe will come in various configurations -- such as S, Turbo, Turbo S, and maybe even GTS, with each will receive unique features to set them apart.

Interior

These spy shots don't give us an idea of what Porsche has planned for the coupe's interior, and the fact that we haven't seen the sedan's cabin makes it that much more difficult, but this should be one of the most luxurious Porsches every built. No matter the configuration, look for all surfaces to be covered in soft leather and Alcantara and highlighted by wood, aluminum, and carbon-fiber trim. On the tech side, it will get Porsche's latest infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, 3D maps with satellite image overlay and dynamic route calculations, a state-of-the-art, high-resolution screen for an instrument cluster, and a pair of comfortable front seats. Naturally, the sportier version will ditch plush seating for bolstered, race-like buckets, but even the sportiest version should provide a decent amount of comfort. Compared to the Panamera, the coupe's rear compartment will be a bit cramped for tall passengers, but will likely on par with similar offerings on the market.

Drivetrain

Set to receive the same Modular Standard Platform (MSB) as the Panamera, the coupe will most likely share engines with the sedan as well. Not much is known about the new drivetrains, but chances are that they will retain the current V-6 and V-8 configuration. The highlight of the new lineup will be the twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 that's slotted to replace the current 4.8-liter mill. The engine is expected to deliver around 550 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque and will most likely motivate the Panamera Coupe Turbo S.

The new V-8 will use a newly developed cylinder-deactivation system for enhanced fuel efficiently, a start-stop system, and will mate to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive.

The entry-level coupe will probably get a twin-turbo V-6 good for at least 350 horsepower. It remains to be seen whether the two-door will get as many versions as the sedan, but a GTS and a hybrid are also on table, especially since the platform was conceived to accept electric motors.

Prices

It's way too early to talk about prices, but expect the coupe to be significantly more expensive than the sedan. With the current Panamera priced from $78,100, chances are that the next-generation model will retail from around $83,000. With that in mind, the base coupe will probably come in at around $90,000, while the range-topping Turbo S will fetch about $200,000 before options.

Competition

Bentley Continental GT

With the next-gen Conti GT set to use the same underpinnings, it's only natural to consider the British coupe a competitor for the two-door Panamera. Based on recent spy shots, the GT is getting a sportier design and, if new products are any indication, it should get a more luxurious interior as well. While the design of the Continental might not be a sporty as the Panamera's, the British grand tourer will most likely outgun the Porsche in terms of interior craftmanship and opulence. Under the hood, the Continental will likely continue with a V-8 and W-12 engine, and we expect the range-topping version to crank out in excess of 650 horsepower. The new model will cost at least $200,000 in base trim and more than $300,000 loaded with all the optional goodies.

Find out more about the Bentley Continental GT here.

BMW 6 Series

A more affordable proposition to the Panamera coupe, the 6 Series is set to receive an overhaul in 2017, which will bring a new generation with updated styling, more tech, a more luxurious interior, and new engines with more power, better performance, and enhanced fuel economy. Not much is known about the next-gen 6 Series as of this writing, but the lighter platform is likely to receive updated versions of the current 3.0-liter inline-six and 4.4-liter V-8 powerplants. The latter should crank out around 500 horsepower in the range-topping, non-M version and about 600 horses in the M6, which will challenge the Panamera Coupe Turbo S. Look for the new 6 Series to hit showrooms with a $80,000 sticker in base trim. The M6, on the other hand, will cost more than $118,000 before options.

Read more about the BMW 6 Series here.

Conclusion

For the first time in a very long while, enthusiasts are probably finally excited about a brand-new Porsche product. That's probably because the Panamera coupe will be seen as a spiritual successor to the 928 and bare a closer resemblance to the 911 than the Panamera sedan and the Cayenne and Macan crossovers. The truth is that a two-door Panamera won't have much in common with the 928 except for the front-mounted engine, but Porsche desperately needs a grand tourer to compete against the likes of the Continental GT, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. With the Panamera sedan already a potent car that can deliver sports car-like performance, a coupe version should be exciting to say the least. Heck, if Porsche plays its card right with the car, it could even challenge the likes of Ferrari.

Updated History

Updated 06/01/2016: Our spy photographers caught the long-rumored Panamera Coupe out for a first testing session.