Porsche has been rapidly expanding its hybrid range since the 918 Spyder launch, giving buyers of the Cayenne and Panamera the option of a battery boost. But up until now, its hybrid models had all been based on less powerful V6-engined cars rather than the full-fat turbocharged range-toppers. That all changes with the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
The headline figure in the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is 680 hp (500 kW). The immense power comes from a combination of turbocharged V8 power from the non-hybrid Turbo S and a 136 hp (100 kW) electric motor, hooked up with an electronic clutch. The 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint takes just 3.4 seconds, and it'll keep pulling all the way to 310 km/h (192 mph).
When it's not terrifying BMW M and Audi RS owners on the autobahn, the new Panamera flagship is capable of incredible efficiency. A liquid-cooled 14.1 kWh battery will allow 50 km (31 mi) of all-electric running in E-Power mode, although the car will automatically switch to Hybrid Auto mode when the throttle dips past a certain point.
On the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) – which takes the full electric range into account – the car returns a staggering 2.9 l/100km (81.1 MPGe). You're unlikely to ever match that in the real world, but it's nice to know the car will do it under ideal conditions. Charging the battery takes six hours with the 3.6 kW onboard charger, but that can be dropped to just two-and-a-half with an optional 7.2 kW plug. Owners can tell the car to start and stop charging with the Porsche Connect app, which works on iOS and Android devices as well as the Apple Watch.
Beyond its impressive performance and surprising efficiency, there isn't much to set the Turbo S E-Hybrid apart from the rest of the range. From the outside it looks just like any other Panamera, save for a set of 21-inch wheels, while the interior is also unchanged. The car does come with the full set of Porsche acronyms as standard, including carbon ceramic brakes (PCCB), dynamic chassis control (PDCC), torque vectoring (PTV) and fully active suspension (PASM).
The car will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, where New Atlas will be on the ground covering all the action. Pricing starts at €185,736 (around US$196,200) for the regular Turbo S E-Hybrid and €199,183 ($210,400) for the long-wheelbase Executive.
Source: Porsche
