When Porsche decided to do the Cayenne, naysayers said it would hurt the brand’s sports car image. Needless to say the Cayenne has been a huge success for the German automaker. Now Porsche is out once again playing with fire with the four-door Panamera which analysts say - you got it - will hurt the brand’s sports car image.

Covers will be taken off of the Porsche Panamera early next year and it will arrive on the market in late 2009 in a segment that will soon see sedans from Aston Martin and Lamborghini.

At launch, the rear-wheel-drive Panamera will come with a 300-hp 3.6L V6 from V-Dub. A 400-hp 4.8L V8 will also be available along with a turbocharged 500-hp version. Porsche has already confirmed a hybrid Panamera for 2010 that will reduce fuel-consumption by 30 percent.

According to Automotive News, the Stuttgart based automaker is now considering a diesel version along with a targa top version for the Panamera as well.

Porsche Panamera Teaser:

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)