While seemingly at odds with the Porsche's roots as a sports car maker, the Panamera Sport Turismo wagon seems like a great fit in the brand's lineup because of its combination of style and extra utility. But the company has toyed with the concept of offering a longroof variant of an existing model before. A one-off 928 shooting brake called the 928-4 was built in 1984 as a 75th birthday present for Ferry Porsche - and a recent video has put the spotlight on this unique vehicle.
The Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, Germany, started on this birthday present by taking the existing 928 S and stretching it by 250 millimetres. The designers used the extra space to fit a pair of more comfortable rear seats inside. They also made the B-pillar more upright, so it was easier to get back there. A higher roof ensured that occupants had enough headroom, and a rear hatchback made the most of the bigger boot. Up front, fixed headlights replaced the production 928's pop-up units.
Ferry Porsche must have liked the colour green because a dark shade of it covers the exterior and much of the cabin, including the leather trim and carpet.
Despite the extensive body modifications, the company left the powertrain the same as the standard 928. The 5.0-litre V8 produced 306 horsepower, which allowed for an estimated top speed of 162 miles per hour.
There's only a single 928-4 in existence, and it lives in Porsche's warehouse. However, Europeans will finally be able to get own their own wagon from the brand when the Panamera Sport Turismo goes on sale in October. Just 30 years late, Porsche.
Source: Porsche
Gallery: 1984 Porsche 928-4 Prototype
Porsche shooting brake: past and present
Porsche unveiled the Panamera Sport Turismo at the Geneva Motor Show. The shooting brake is the latest addition to the company’s product range – but the first prototypes of this design could be found in Zuffenhausen more than 30 years ago.
The Panamera Sport Turismo is a new body variant for the Panamera. For Porsche, it is a step forwards into a new segment. Beginning from the B-pillar – that is, from the start of the rear doors – the shooting brake features a completely unique design. It is characterised in particular by the long, raised roof contour and an extended tailgate. The design of the body allows for easier entry and exit at the rear of the vehicle and ensures greater head clearance. Meanwhile, the wide shoulders and the dynamic proportions are clear indicators of the unmistakable Porsche design DNA.
A coupé with a hatchback – is this completely new territory for the sportscar manufacturer from Zuffenhausen? Not quite. The Panamera Sport Turismo is the first series shooting brake from Porsche – that much is true. But the initial ideas and prototypes were developed more than 30 years ago. In addition to an extended 911 S variant from 1970, evidence can be found in two 928 models. One is the four-door 928 H50 concept from 1987, while the other is the 928-4: a four-seater prototype with a shooting brake body from 1984.
A look into the museum’s secret storehouse
Created by the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, this was a version of the 928 S that was extended by 25 centimetres. The longer wheelbase and the modifications to the B-pillar and door frame meant that passengers in the rear had an extra 20 centimetres of legroom – attributes that can now be found in the new Panamera Sport Turismo in more or less the same form. Some additional features of this one-off creation were the projector headlights, hatchback design, leather interior and green tinted windows.
Dieter Landenberger, Head of the historical Porsche Archive, has opened the doors to the museum’s secret storehouse. In this video, he takes a closer look at the vehicle:
The car was presented to Ferry Porsche on September 19, 1984 as a gift on his birthday. It is now held by the Porsche Museum.
Porsche 928-4
Four-seater prototype
Model year: 1984
Engine:8-cylinder V
Displacement:4958 cm³
Power: 310 hp (228 kW)
Weight empty:1625 kg
Top speed:260 km/h