Porsche Panamera to receive long-wheelbase treatment for 2012

Porsche is developing a long-wheelbase version of the Panamera in a bid to satisfy demand for greater rear-seat legroom from customers in North American and China.

Details remain sketchy, but insiders at the company's research and development center in Germany have indicated to AutoWeek that the 115-inch wheelbase of today's Panamera will be extended by almost five inches, taking it up to nearly 120 inches. By comparison, the long-wheelbase version of the Mercedes-Benz S-class boasts a 124-inch wheelbase.

All of the added length is set to be incorporated in a longer rear door and a larger rear-door aperture--a move that will also rectify one of the Porsche's weaknesses by providing improved rear-seat access.

The stretched version of the four-door Porsche is planned to go on sale in 2012, coinciding with a planned facelift of the existing standard-wheelbase model. Before it goes on sale, though, Porsche will be kept busy with the launch of gasoline-electric hybrid and diesel versions of the big liftback.

Meanwhile, plans for four-seat convertible and shooting-brake versions of the Panamera have been put on hold until 2015.

“We've decided to wait until the second-generation model before adding alternative body styles,” a high-ranking Porsche official told AutoWeek. “We're already flat-out meeting demand for a single body style as it is.”

By Greg Kable