By Brian Armstead, Autosense

When I first saw press pictures of the all-new Porsche Panamera, I thought: "it looks like a giant roach."  Recently I had a chance to see it up close.  What a difference in person!  Not only does it not look like a roach, it's absolutely stunning in person.

The Panamera is the first ever sedan (technically a four-door harchback) from Porsche, and their marketing tag line for the car is "Four, uncompromised."  It is a true Porsche in every detail, and should have no trouble swaying even the most diehard 911 owner to at least test drive one.

Porsche has not always been successful in straying away from the "pure," rear-engine layout that made the 911 a legend.  The 924 was tagged a VW in disguise and the 944/968 and 928 were blasphemed for having water cooled, front engine layouts.  Boxster and Cayman arrived with true Porsche DNA, and the Cayenne literally saved the company.  With that trio, the so-called mistakes of the past had been corrected.  And now, a Porsche sedan.

Outside, the design is long, lean and muscular.  There is no mistake that it is a Porsche from the front view, with swept headlights and a power dome on the hood.  LED daytime running lamps flank each lower corner.

The rear looks like a variation of the 911 with a bit more edge, and features a power hatch.  The Panamera body is fully galvanized and is made of various metals, including magnesium, aluminum and multiple grades of super high strength steel.

The Panamera comes in three models, S, 4S and Turbo.  S and 4S models are powered by a 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine making 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.  Peak torque is achieved between 3,500 and 5,000 rpm, a band wide enough for city driving and for roadway assault missions.

Take an engine of the same displacement, add a pair of turbos and intercoolers, and you have the Panamera Turbo with 500 horsepower and a whopping 516 pound-feet of torque (with an even wider 2,250-4,500 rpm band).  Base Panameras reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.  Turbo models achieve 60 mph in 4.0 seconds -- 3.8 seconds if you opt for the Chrono Package which incorporates an overboost "Launch Control" feature.

Under the skin, all Panameras feature the standard seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission.Turbo and 4S models feature all-wheel drive and an electronic multiplate clutch.  All three models feature active suspension management which regulates damping force at each wheel.

Useful buttons and controls allow you to change vehicle parameters in a rapid fashion.  The buttons have a reptilian look to them, like the bumps on a crocodile.  

Walnut, carbon fiber, anthracite birch, tineo, brushed aluminum and olive wood are interior finish choices, depending on what color leather you choose.

Impressive standard features abound on all Panameras.  You can also choose from a healthy list of options.  With any car that can launch you to breathtaking speeds, the Panamera comes with ten airbags.

Panamera models start at $89,800 for the S, $93,800 for the 4S and $132.600 for the Turbo.

Choose options wisely as they are pricey.  At any trim level, you'll get enough standard gear to keep you very, very happy.