The first 31 Porsche Panameras are in the air and on their way to the car's North American debut. The public will see the all-new four-passenger Porsche for the first time at a series of events during the Monterey Peninsula Automotive Week, from August 9-16, 2009. (article contains an intro video).

Unveiled at 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, the Panameras is high end luxury sedan fitted with a front-engined with rear wheel drive, with four-wheel drive also available. It will be fitted with either a 345-hp 4.8L V8 (model Panamera S, 4S) or a 493-hp 4.8L twin-turbo V8  (model Panamera Turbo) match with a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed SDK. A hybrid model is also available.

The cars will make appearances at historic and high-profile events that include the famous and elegant Quail Lodge, the 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - where Porsche is the featured marque - and finally, at arguably the most famous councours in world, the Pebble Beach Councours d'Elegance.

The Porsches  were airlifted directly from Leipzig, Germany, where they are produced alongside the Cayenne SUV using the most state-of-the-art production methods. The Panamera will go on sale at Porsche's 12 Canadian dealers on October 17, 2009.

For more information about the Porsche Panameras, visit www.porsche.ca