Porsche reveals Panamera's insides

It's been a long time coming, but Porsche has finally seen fit to show us the inside of its slightly controversial five-door limousine. Until recently we thought it would be a saloon, but in actual fact it's a hatchback - so it's far more practical than we expected it would be.

Inside it looks very plush, with cream leather, wood and aluminium inserts in the strictly four-seat cabin. The button-heavy centre console stretches from the dash right back to the rear seats, separating the cabin into four distinctive sections - with four-zone climate control an option, in addition to the raft of standard airbags.

In keeping with its premium luxury barge feel, buyers can choose from a wide range of leathers, woods and dash inserts - including carbon fibre - and all four seats are electrically adjustable. Head and legroom looks liberal, particularly in the back, and there's a capacious 450-litres of boot space (slightly less for the Turbo version) - rising to 1,250-litres with the rear seats folded.

But make no mistake - this is a proper driver's car. Despite rumours of a diesel on the way, the launch cars get V8 petrol power only, with two- and four-wheel drive versions - designated S and 4S - getting a 400bhp naturally aspirated 4.8-litre unit, sending the car to 62mph in 5.0 and 5.4 seconds respectively. The Turbo edition adds twin turbochargers to the engine for an extra 100bhp, chopping the 0-62mph sprint down to 4.2 seconds. Porsche's twin-clutch PDK gearbox is available as an option on all models.

The Panamera will go on sale later this year with a starting price of just over £90,000.

Mark Nichol