Close...5th seat for the Panamera. Meaning: there might be a rear bench with three seats available in the near future. Just a rumor...take it with a grain of salt.
It also isn't known if this 5th seat will be optional or standard.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Christian did you ever sit in a 5-seater on the back seats with two adults?
I had the chance two weeks ago - BMW 5-touring 5 minutes - three adults from our customer to the train station - it was horror.
ALDO:
Christian did you ever sit in a 5-seater on the back seats with two adults?
I had the chance two weeks ago - BMW 5-touring 5 minutes - three adults from our customer to the train station - it was horror.
Three adults in the rear ? Yes, horror. Three kids in the rear ? Absolutely OK. Two kids and an adult in the rear ? Absolutely OK. Two adults and a kid in the middle ? Absolutely OK. Trust me, I tried with many cars, it works. Kids need to be below 14 or so.
A neighbor was very interested in the Panamera but passed on it because he has three kids. They own a VW Transporter as a family car but he wanted something classier for moving the family from time to time (his 996 doesn't really do the job).
He isn't the only one: one of the reasons I passed on the Panamera was the 4 seats. The same reason I didn't get th X6 M but the X5 M (besides of course other points).
--
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
RC:
ALDO:
Christian did you ever sit in a 5-seater on the back seats with two adults?
I had the chance two weeks ago - BMW 5-touring 5 minutes - three adults from our customer to the train station - it was horror.
Three adults in the rear ? Yes, horror. Three kids in the rear ? Absolutely OK. Two kids and an adult in the rear ? Absolutely OK. Two adults and a kid in the middle ? Absolutely OK. Trust me, I tried with many cars, it works. Kids need to be below 14 or so.
A neighbor was very interested in the Panamera but passed on it because he has three kids. They own a VW Transporter as a family car but he wanted something classier for moving the family from time to time (his 996 doesn't really do the job).
He isn't the only one: one of the reasons I passed on the Panamera was the 4 seats. The same reason I didn't get th X6 M but the X5 M (besides of course other points).
--RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Even three kids wouldn´t fit in a Panamera 5-seater. The Panamera isn´t wide enough and please tell me which car can accomodate three kid chairs in one rear row without any serious problems?
Three kids - VW Bus, Sharan or any other van but not a fine limousine.
reginos:
Who dares to have 3 kids these days
Are you kidding ? Most of our friends and neighbors have three kids and even more.
Having two kids is nothing special where I live, having one kid is almost egoistic. 
"These days" ? Not sure what you mean ?
@ALDO: a family friend has a BMW 5 series and three big kids (10-12-17) who ride in the rear all the time. No problems at all as far as I know. Same with another family friend who drives a Mercedes E-class and also has three kids (4-8-11 as far as I remember).
I don't like limousines too much, my E 55 AMG was my first and last limousine but it had a lot of space in the rear, even for three people.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
RC:
reginos:
Who dares to have 3 kids these days
Are you kidding ? Most of our friends and neighbors have three kids and even more.
Having two kids is nothing special where I live, having one kid is almost egoistic.
"These days" ? Not sure what you mean ?
In many places people have 1 or 2 children maximum, mainly for financial and career reasons. That's what I meant .
On the basis of this observation a 4 seat limousine is OK for many families,although having a bench would have been more practical. We, for example, have a Mercedes ML and I don't remember the last time I had more than 3 passengers!
Now I understand. 
Well, apparently Porsche forgot about two things (like you did too): nanny and grandparents. I wonder if Panamera development engineers and marketing experts have kids. 
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
RC:
Now I understand.
Well, apparently Porsche forgot about two things (like you did too): nanny and grandparents. I wonder if Panamera development engineers and marketing experts have kids.
Perhaps there will be a Panamera Station Wagon/Estate with a third row of seats in the future. Don't dismiss this idea!
Jan 25, 2010 5:18:14 PM
reginos:
RC:
Now I understand.
Well, apparently Porsche forgot about two things (like you did too): nanny and grandparents. I wonder if Panamera development engineers and marketing experts have kids.
Perhaps there will be a Panamera Station Wagon/Estate with a third row of seats in the future. Don't dismiss this idea!
Or a panamera SUV
Jan 25, 2010 5:56:49 PM
Jan 25, 2010 6:14:59 PM
Jan 25, 2010 6:23:27 PM
This picture shows why it will be difficult to retain the Panamera's driving dynamics if it were to get a flat rear floor.
I'm guessing that it will be quite a chore to retain the torsional rigidity of the chassis required to maintain the high marks in handling simultaneously with an acceptable ride if the deep channel down the center of the car is modified very much.
Mike
2005 Carrera GT - Signal Yellow + 2008 Tesla Roadster - Thunder Gray +1972 BMW 3.0 CSi - Nachtblau +2009 Bentley Arnage T - Black Saphire
Misha011:
Does Mercedes CLS has an option for a 3rd seat ... or AM Rapide ? Due to the low roof of Panamera , one would have to crawl over the rear seats to get in the middle and then will have a big tunnel between the legs
The rear bench would be a psychological plus for potential buyers in the showroom. "it's a 5 seater not a 4 seater".
The only practical use would be for accommodating children up to 10-11 years. If the Porsche product planners think it's an advantage why not to do it.
reginos:
Misha011:
Does Mercedes CLS has an option for a 3rd seat ... or AM Rapide ? Due to the low roof of Panamera , one would have to crawl over the rear seats to get in the middle and then will have a big tunnel between the legs
The rear bench would be a psychological plus for potential buyers in the showroom. "it's a 5 seater not a 4 seater".
The only practical use would be for accommodating children up to 10-11 years. If the Porsche product planners think it's an advantage why not to do it.
Huge advantage. 
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
agree with a bench option, it is up to the owner whether to seat 4 or 5, having an option is good.
most 911 owners don't use the rear seats, but it is a good option to have.
Tim
2010 997.2 GT3RS, January build; 2008 Cayenne Turbo; 2006 911 Club Coupe #13; 2006 BMW 530xi
I may be in the minority, but I know I’m not alone (from people I’ve talked to) when I say that the fact that the Panamera ONLY being a 4 seater is a POSITIVE SELLING FEATURE.
I actually never take other people with me, everybody here in Germany has a car. 
Just kidding but seriously: people usually drive in their own cars. The only people I have in my car are my kids, my wife, my parents and from time to time the in-laws. Thats it.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
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and
3 boys aged 3 1/2 , 5 1/5 and 7 
this could visually change what many complains as a 'huge / wide looks'
