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Today's launch of the new Porsche Panamera is a timely reminder that Porsche is no stranger to controversy. It is happiest pursuing mechanical layouts others deem impossible, turning gamekeeper and buying Volkswagen outright, and laughing in the face of cynics who deplore Porsche-badged off-roaders. The new Panamera sports saloon is going to reignite plenty more controversy, trust us.

Porsche today issues seven photographs and the full official story of the new Panamera, ahead of its motor show launch in spring 2009. The first cars will hit dealers' floors in late summer 2009, when they'll vie for the attention of buyers considering an upper-class Mercedes S-class, BMW 7-series or Maserati Quattroporte. It's a lofty ambition from Porsche.

So the new Porsche Panamera is a luxury saloon?

Not quite. Check out these photographs closely and you'll spot that this is a five-door Porsche. Yep, like the Cayenne, the Panamera has a hatchback rear end. It's the only car in its class to offer this practicality (the rear seats fold flat, making the Panamera a remarkably spacious grand tourer) and the oddball layout belies its luxury saloon tag.

Porsche styling director Michael Mauer actually calls the Panamera a 'space coupe', and the company toyed long and hard with alternative designs that bordered on estate cars.

But the end result is this five-door hatchback that looks like the offspring of a 911 getting saucy with a Cayenne behind the bike sheds. Original? Hardly, with its profusion of 911 styling details. Pretty? We'll let you call that one. Click 'Add your comment' and tell us what you think of the new Panamera luxury car.