Wow, Yeah, that pust a damper on that Panamera for sure. Why do car companies always do that? You seem something awesome at a show, you wait for years to reach production, and then it ends up being ho-hum when it comes out. Here's another one that looks pretty friggin hot for now but that will probably look like a VW when it's all said & done:



More pics:

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/28/v...ro-x-concept/3

____________________________

P.S. Here are the specs on the 2001 Lotec:

2001 Lotec Sirius Concept Specifications - Specs

engine Twin Turbo Mercedes-Benz V12
valvetrain 4 Valves / Cyl
displacement 5987 cc / 365.3 cu in
bore 98 mm / 3.86 in
stroke 80.2 mm / 3.16 in
compression 8.5:1
power 994.8 kw / 1334 bhp @ 6300 rpm
hp per litre 222.82 bhp per litre
bhp/weight
torque 1300 nm / 958.8 ft lbs @ 3400 rpm
drive wheels Mid Engine / RWD
front brakes Brembro Discs
front wheels F 45.7 x 24.1 cm / 18.0 x 9.5 in
rear wheels R 45.7 x 33.0 cm / 18.0 x 13.0 in
front tire size 225/45ZR18
rear tire size 345/35ZR18
weight 1280 kg / 2822 lbs
length 4120 mm / 162.2 in
width 2080 mm / 81.9 in
height 1120 mm / 44.1 in
transmission 5-Speed Manual
top speed 400 kph / 248.5 mph
0 - 60 mph 3.7 seconds

The 2009 has similar specs, but adds a little more horsepower under the hood:

"The German supercar Lotec Sirius was introduced earlier in the millennium by the previous Group C2 championship race winner Kurt Lotterschmid. It was propelled by a twin-turbocharged Mercedes-Benz 6.0-Liter V12 engine and was made available in several performance levels, beginning with about 850 hp (635 kW) up to 1,200 hp (895 kW) in some form.

In spite of a number of obstacles and eventual production setbacks surrounding the initial Sirius, Lotec intends to make available an improved version in 2009 and has released sample illustrations of the new vehicle. No specs have yet been given but our sources says that the new vehicle will probably yield less than the present version, most probably because of the preceding V12 mill no longer being offered. One element that will stay, however, will be the present version’s carbon-fiber over tubular steel-frame design structure. This hi-tech construction method allows the Sirius to tip the scales at less than 1,400 kg in spite being equipped with numerous creature comforts such as air-conditioning and power-steering. Although not established independently, Lotec says that its supercar was able to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 3.8 seconds, exceed 120 mph in 7.8 seconds and attain maximum speed of 242 mph." (http://www.4wheelsnews.com/2009-lote...th-more-power/)