And now for something different. From Porsche.

How about something fast, sexy, bursting with new technology and handling so sharp it could cut through stone? But with four doors instead of two.

Now that's different.

Porsche, known the world over for its superlative sports machines, is introducing a new one with a twist: the 2010 Panamera four-door sedan.

When you see this car, you'll know instantly it's a Porsche.

It has strong hints of the voluptuous hips of the Porsche Cayman and Boxster, along with the fastback roofline of the 911. The styling hasn't been uniformly applauded, and from some angles in photographs, the car looks awkward.

But we're betting that eventually we'll all get used to seeing this sleek, elongated form on the road and it will be just fine. After all, if you look at some of the more controversial designs, time has shown that they wear well, and help move the auto industry up to the next level in design.

You may be wondering why on earth a bona fide sports car maker such as Porsche would want a sedan in the lineup to risk weakening the brand's sports car image -- or so some car purists would think.

But there are two things to remember here.

First, the Panamera, which can hit 60 mph in 4 seconds or less, is hardly your typical soft sedan. And one drive behind the wheel will convince you that it can more than handle roads as well as other Porsches.

But in this competitive market, everybody has to diversify to survive financially. That's why Porsche successfully introduced the Cayenne SUV and now the Panamera.

If you already own a Porsche, you'll feel right at home in the Panamera. Everything in this car has the same look, touch and feel from every other Porsche. The position of the gauges, the "feel behind the wheel," the satin smooth operation of the controls, to the tasteful two-tone look of the interior all scream "Porsche."

There's one major exception, however -- the central console between the two front seats is bewilderingly busy, with so many controls, flush mounted buttons asnd switches that you won't be able to operate them initially without first glancing to make sure you're hitting the right thing.

Panamera comes in three flavors, all four passenger, four-door hatchback sedans: The S, the 4S all-wheel drive version and the Turbo model. Prices start at about $89,800 for the S, and top out at $132,600 for the torrid Turbo model.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, adaptive suspension dampers, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a power rear hatch, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-telescoping steering column, eight-way power front seats, driver memory functions, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a 60/40-split rear seatback and rear bucket seats.

You'll also get as standard equipment an 11-speaker CD, top notch audio system. The Panamera 4S differs only in that it has all-wheel drive. The Panamera Turbo adds a turbocharged V8, 19-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension with load-leveling and adjustable ride height, front parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry, 10-way power front seats and adjustable lumbar support, expanded driver memory functions, a power-adjustable steering column, heated rear seats, a full leather interior, an Alcantara headliner and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

Power for the Panamera S and 4S comes from a 400 horsepower, 4.8 liter V8, while the Turbo model gets a 500 horsepower, twin turbocharged V8. The transmission is Porsche's all new PDK seven-speed dual clutch automated version, said to shift smoothly and more quickly than any human can possibly perform the task.

Fuel economy estimates weren't available but in an interesting nod to hybrid-powered cars, every Panamera comes standard with auto stop/start technology that shuts off the engine when you come to a stop to conserve fuel.

We'll have a full road test of the new Panamera in PG On Wheels later this model year. Stay tuned.

"Money Q&A" and "Company Town" are featured exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.