Porsche Panamera Wins a Ward's Auto Interior of the Year Award for 2010

ATLANTA, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- According to editors of Ward's AutoWorld, the new Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo's inner sanctum is the industry's most "inspired design".

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Introduced last fall, the Panamera is Porsche's first-ever four-door sports car.  It was conceived and designed as a grand touring car, combining Porsche's renowned driving performance with a supremely comfortable and luxurious interior.

A team of eight Ward's editors evaluated 40 vehicles that have either all-new or significantly upgraded interiors this year. The vehicles were divided into segments, and Ward's bestowed special awards for outstanding achievements in key areas, with the Panamera's interior winning for the most "Inspired Design".

"Obviously, with our first four-door sedan, the interior was a critical design element," said Detlev von Platen, President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America. "Winning this award reaffirms that the new Panamera is not only an exhilarating car to drive, but it is also a very enjoyable and luxurious car to travel in."

Porsche's design team chose the highest quality materials for the Panamera's interior, combining them with an innovative design language that sets a new standard for Porsche in terms of feeling, flair and elegance.  Additionally, this new design language will be continued in the upcoming all-new Porsche Cayenne and is featured on the new 918 Spyder concept.

Inspired by the iconic Carrera GT, the Panamera Gran Turismo also boasts a logical, intuitive control concept. For example, the center console extends all the way through the interior from front to rear, offering the driver optimum ergonomics while at the same time highlighting each passenger's personal space. An array of control buttons provide immediate access to key functions, rather than causing the driver to scroll through an on-screen menu. And, unique to the class, rear passengers enjoy free, unrestricted visibility to the front, with the interior design giving each rear-seat passenger a feeling of direct participation – a cockpit for four that involves everyone in the Porsche driving experience.

"For years, the focus on safety and functionality has given us drab, uninspired vehicle interiors," said Ward's AutoWorld Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter.  "This year's winners show style and original design is becoming as important inside the vehicle as it already is to the sheet metal outside."

Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine's 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com's Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), Bloomberg Car of the Year, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com's Car of the Month for January.

Just as importantly, the Panamera has been a success on the showroom floor, attracting current Porsche owners and new customers alike.  In fact after a half year on the market, Porsche has delivered more than 2,500 Panameras in the U.S., and later this year it will round out the Panamera lineup with the launch of an entry-level, V-6 powered version.

Ward's Automotive Group is one of the world leading providers of auto industry news, data and analysis having served the industry's information needs for nearly 80 years.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche vehicles for the United States. It is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG. PCNA employs approximately 213 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 200 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its 61-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 brand in sports car racing.  PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the highly acclaimed Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-passenger Panamera Gran Turismos, strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.

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SOURCE Porsche Cars North America, Inc.