Stuttgart, Germany – Porsche has announced that it will present the world premiere of the new Panamera to the public at the Auto Shanghai 2009 in China in April. The new four-door Gran Turismo will go on sale in late summer 2009.

The new model retains Porsche’s sporting and dynamic characteristics, along with room for four people and luggage.

All engines in the Panamera will be V6 or V8 configuration, ranging from 300 to 500 horsepower, and featuring direct fuel injection. Depending on the model, transmission choices will be a six-speed manual gearbox or Porsche’s new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox. The debut models will use naturally-aspirated and bi-turbocharged V8 engines.

The naturally-aspirated V6 and V8 models come standard with rear-wheel drive; the turbocharged version features Porsche Traction Management with extra-light, active all-wheel drive. The AWD system will also be available on the other models.