Porsche dealers want more than a Panamera wagon

NEW YORK -- Luxury wagon lovers will have a new choice by the end of the year. Porsche will begin selling four models of the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo by the end of 2017 in the U.S.

The models -- the 4, 4S, 4 E-Hybrid and Turbo -- have the same engines as the corresponding models in the Panamera sedan lineup.

They range from a 330-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 in the 4, up to a 550-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 in the Turbo. Base prices for the Sport Turismo models will start at $97,250 and go to $155,050, including shipping.

The Sport Turismo models will give Porsche dealers a five-seat Panamera to sell for the first time, something for which they've clamored.

The Panamera sedan, which was redesigned for 2017, has four seats. Due to supply challenges, it began arriving at U.S. dealerships in March, a couple of months later than expected, Joe Lawrence, COO of Porsche Cars North America Inc., said on the sidelines of the New York auto show.

"It's really taking off, and we've got a great order intake on it," Lawrence said.

But five seats for the Sport Turismo only is not going to cut it with dealers.

"It's fair to say that dealers would like to see [five seats] also available in the sedan," Lawrence said. "That's something we're discussing, and we'll see what the future holds."