A Porsche Panamera concept car with an extended rear-end for improved load space is due to appear at the 2012 Paris motor show in September, according to reports.
The UK’s Autocar reports that the shooting brake-style Porsche Panamera concept could preview a model that would expand the four-door Porsche’s next-generation line-up and provide an answer to customers who have asked for a more usable variant with increased luggage space.
A Porsche source told Autocar, “It is one proposal we are looking at to increase the reach of the Panamera. From the feedback we’re receiving right now, there appears to be sales potential for such a car in certain markets, especially Europe.”
An insider also revealed to Car & Driver that, “the concept stands somewhere between the facelifted current-generation car and the next one,” giving hints of upcoming tweaks.
The US publication expects the Paris concept car will be powered by a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a greater electric range than the current Panamera hybrid model.
Whether an expanded Panamera would start to encroach on the territory of the Porsche Cayenne and Porsche Macan SUVs remains to be seen, but with the car unlikely to go on sale prior to 2016 any conflict would be years away.
Talk of the larger Panamera has been followed by suggestions of a long-wheel base version of the increased-capacity sedan and a new two-door version of the Panamera in both hardtop and convertible variations.
High-end cars with shooting brake designs are becoming the latest automotive fad, with the likes of the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake and Ferrari FF all joining the game in recent months.