Photo: New Porsche Panamera Takes Center Stage at Monterey Classic Car Festivities
Porsche To Be Featured Marque At Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races; For Second Time Ever, Pebble Beach Concours To Create Historic Porsche Class
ATLANTA, Aug. 10 -- If you are lucky enough to attend one of the many venues in Monterey this week, chances are you will see Porsche's completely new Panamera Gran Turismo. The German automaker has chosen one of the world's most renowned and historic car celebrations to reveal what may be the most highly anticipated car launch in recent years.
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Porsche is bringing more than 30 new Panameras to cover every major event at the Monterey Peninsula Automotive Week, including gatherings at the renowned Quail Lodge, the 36th Rolex Monterey Historics and the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance auto week.
"This is the perfect stage to roll out this extraordinary car," said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. "Everywhere you look there is a spectacular California backdrop and the entire week is devoted to thousands of auto enthusiasts celebrating the beauty of classic automobiles, both new and old."
The new Panamera has captivated the automotive world since Porsche announced four years ago that it would build its first-ever four-door sports car. Porsche's unique four-door was conceived and designed as a grand touring sports car, combining numerous talents in typical Porsche style: sporting driving dynamics, a spacious interior, and the supreme comfort of a Gran Turismo.
The Panamera Gran Turismo will go on sale at the brand's 202 U.S. dealers on October 17, 2009.
"First and foremost, the Panamera is a true Porsche," said von Platen. "It is a race bred car that you can now share with three other people in incredible comfort and class."
Throughout the week, the company will host visitors at its specially built "Porsche Zentrum" facility located prominently on the grounds of the Quail Lodge. This central facility was built specifically for the event and its design is based on several key aspects of modern Porsche facilities, including the new museum in Stuttgart and flagship dealerships from around the world. Details of the Zentrum's structure even include the use of the same colors, textures, shapes, and furnishings of the most modern design elements at Porsche. The Zentrum will house several different versions of the Panamera, along with special displays of the new model's technology and features. Employees from Porsche Cars North America -- the company's subsidiary in the U.S. -- will be on hand to answer questions on the new Panamera.
At Pebble Beach, Porsche is displaying the new Panamera at the golf course's legendary Lodge, among others. And for only the second time in the history of the famous concours, organizers have created a Porsche classification. This special class will include Porsche's racing legends from the 1950s through the 1980s -- all displayed prominently on the famed 18th fairway at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. A few of the more notable Porsches include the 356 driven by Manfredo Lippman in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana. Also on display is the incredibly powerful 917/10 driven by John Fitzpatrick in the German Interseries. The Porsche 917K that Steve McQueen drove in the movie Le Mans will be paired with the 962C that actually won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1987 when it was driven by Derek Bell, Al Hobert and Hans Stuck.
"There is no doubt that Pebble Beach is the foremost historical vehicle concours in the world and attracts tens of thousands of true automobile enthusiasts -- exactly the people who will be potential buyers of this sedan," said von Platen.
At the 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on August 14-16, over 450 historic Porsche race cars will compliment a full display of 2010 Porsche Panameras.
In addition to the 145 Porsche racers already entered by their owners, or one-third of the 450-plus field, Porsche will showcase the Panamera on the world-famous race track with professional drivers and will also prominently display vehicles on site with product experts from Porsche.
Along with this display, Porsche is showcasing four special cars with significant American connections -- all on loan from the new Porsche Museum in Germany:
-- The 1962 Porsche Type 804 Formula 1 racer, which was the car that
brought Gurney to his French Grand Prix win that year. This car has
not been in North America since the 1960s.
-- The 1960 Porsche Type 718 Formula 2 racing car, which gave Porsche its
first Formula 2 world title and was driven in 1961 by Californian Dan
Gurney, is making its North American debut
-- The 1962 Porsche Type 718 W-RS 8-cylinder Spyder, in which Gurney and
Joakim Bonnier finished second at the Targa Florio in 1961, has also
not been in North America for more than 40 years. In the 1960s, it was
raced in the U.S. by Gurney, Bonnier and Phil Hill.
-- The Porsche GT1 98LM, which helped Porsche finish 1-2 at the 1998
24-hours of Le Mans event.
In total, Porsche will display nine classic race cars, spanning the entire racing history of the company. Porsche-sponsored activities for the fans at Laguna will include a heritage display featuring former and current race cars, Porsche's current showroom product line, and experts to answer Porsche questions. Porsche Motorsport North America, the racing arm of Porsche in the U.S., will also showcase its engine and chassis services for both professional and club/vintage racing, while the Porsche Club of America expects to have more than 400 Porsches in its Club Corral and will parade all its cars on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
About Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche sports cars and sport utility vehicles for the United States. It is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. PCNA employs approximately 180 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 202 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its 60-year history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world's most successful brands in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the Boxster and Cayman sports cars, Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the U.S. and soon the four-passenger Panamera, strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.
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