Oct. 16--The newest member of the Porsche family makes its debut in the Chattanooga market Saturday.

The 2010 Panamera, Porsche's first four-door sedan, goes on sale at the Chattanooga dealer, listing between $89,800 and $132,600 depending on the model.

The Panamera is the first new model launched by the German automaker in seven years and is its first four-door luxury sedan in its 61-year history.

James "Jaco" Vandemerwe, general manager of Porsche of Chattanooga at 7648 Lee Highway, called the launch one of the most highly anticipated events since Porsche announced four years ago that the car would be built.

"With this sedan, Porsche is essentially creating a new vehicle concept that is a true sports car with four doors, four seats, eight cylinders, seven gears and a multitude of new technical and design features," he said. "It is truly unlike anything else on the road."

The Chattanooga dealership will have a Panamera 4S, which is an all-wheel drive, on site.

Sales manager Jerry Hickey said it will be the only one the dealership has before mid-December. Porsche of Chattanooga will get about six more by March.

"Porsche said they had no real experience building a sedan, and that's a good thing," Mr. Hickey said. "It allowed them to start with a clean sheet."

Porsche is promoting the car as having the appearance of a sports car yet the low, aggressive silhouette of a coupe with generous passenger and luggage space.

The 400-horsepower V8 models offer an EPA estimated 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The 500-horsepower twin turbo model sacrifices 1 mpg but boasts an acceleration rate of zero to 60 in four seconds with a top test track speed of 188 mph.

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Copyright (c) 2009, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tenn.

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