Exclusive Porsche Middle East Edition celebrates world premiere at Qatar Motor Show

At today’s opening of the Qatar Motor Show, Bernhard Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, lifted the cover of a very special Porsche model for the Middle East region – the Panamera 4S Exclusive  Middle East Edition. The strictly limited 66 vehicles will only be available for sale in the Middle East. 

This special Panamera model, built by Porsche Design, is unique in many ways. Its exterior paint Carrara White Metallic has never been used on a Porsche model before and includes the painting of the front air intakes, the headlight washer system cover as well as the rear apron and diffuser. As a result, the black painted trim strips, emblems and the Guards Red “S" in the model designation are emphasised particularly clearly. 

Based on Middle East customer demand the interior comes in natural leather Carrera Red, exclusively available for this Panamera model only. The steering wheel rim and the gear selector lever with their black leather finish create a striking contrast. The rooflining is in black Alcantara whilst the carbon interior package further enhances the refined impression. Illuminated door entry guards inlaid with the serial number of the special edition emphasize this model’s exclusivity. 

The uniqueness of the vehicle is complemented by the 20-inch 911 Turbo II wheels, the Porsche crest embossed into the leather on the head restraints and the vehicle key being painted in the body's Carrara White Metallic colour making this vehicle a truly exclusive Gran Turismo. 

The Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition is powered by a 4.8-litre eight-cylinder engine with 400 hp, which has a combined NEDC consumption of 10.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres. Power transmission takes place via the seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) and the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system with active four-wheel drive. Equipped with the Sport Chrono Plus package as standard, the Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition requires just 4.8 seconds to accelerate to 100 km/h when Launch Control is activated. The top speed is 282 km/h. 

The basic retail for the Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition in the GCC region starts at 163,000 USD. 

Visitors at the Motor Show were witness to a regional debut when Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, introduced the stunning single-seater 918 RSR. Based on the 918 Spyder concept and the groundbreaking hybrid technology of the 911 GT3 R hybrid race car, this car will serve as a “race lab” to further explore the potential of new fuel efficient technologies under extreme conditions. At the same time, it demonstrates the passion of Porsche’s engineers and designers for developing the world’s most advanced and dynamic sports cars. 

The main power source of the 918 RSR is an enhanced V8 engine based on the successful RS Spyder race car. It is positioned before the rear axle and delivers 563 hp at 10,300 rpm. In addition, two electric motors driving the front wheels each contributing 75 kilowatt. As a result of this, the combined power output of the 918 RSR is an impressive 767 hp. 

Energy for the two electric motors is stored and released by the flywheel accumulator located next to the driver. Charging occurs during braking when the two electric motors on the front axle reverse their function and operate as generators. At the push of a button, the pilot is able to call up the energy stored in the charged flywheel accumulator and use it during acceleration or overtaking manoeuvres. 

When it came to the car’s exterior, our designers took their cue from classic Porsche long-distance race cars such as the 917 and translated them into a post-modern form follows function design language. The new "liquid metal chrome blue" colour underscores the car’s sculptured curves, whilst the typical Porsche hybrid orange coloured brake calipers and the body's longitudinal stripes adds a remarkable touch. 

The starting number 22 is a special homage to a special Porsche victory back in 1971 when the 917 short-tail coupe with the number 22 won the 24 Hours of LeMans with an average speed of almost 140 miles per hour. 

Visitors to the Qatar Motor Show can see the first of 66 units of the Panamera 4S Exclusive Middle East Edition, the 918 RSR as well as the rest of Porsche’s exciting model range from the 26th till 29th of January 2011.