“Efficiency doesn’t have to be boring,” those aren’t our words. Those are the words of Porsche LMP1 driver Brandon Hartley. The new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid takes Porsche’s hybrid technology from its 918 Spyder hypercar, and applies it to their flagship executive car. The new system gives an all-electric range of 50 kilometers, and provides a bump in performance to the already rapid saloon along with a bevy of new features.
Brandon Hartley is adamant that the hybrid powertrain makes the car more exciting to drive. The car’s astonishing performance figures seem to agree; a 0-62MPH time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 172 miles per hour are within spitting distance of Porsche Turbos of yore. Unlike past turbos, this V6 biturbo sedan will comfortably seat four adults and return 2.5l/100km in the European test cycle.
Styling changes between the hybrid and other Panameras are relatively subdued. Green brake calipers are the only obvious addition, along with some subtle green-hued badging. A second fuel filler door is present for the electric charging port.
This plug-in hybrid is designed to charge several ways. On a normal 120v, 10 amp connection the car will charge its 14.1 kWH batteries in 12 hours. A 7.2 kW charger is optional and cuts the charging time to under three with a 240v connection.
The Panamera’s interior evolved significantly from the first generation to the second. Most of the car’s buttons have given way to adaptive displays. The hybrid model has numerous model-specific displays, including data on power use and recovery. The Porsche Advanced Cockpit is based on that used in the 918 Hypercar, and is designed to be intuitive and highly configurable.
Though the car’s pace is prodigious, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is defined by its efficiency. In addition to familiar driving modes, such as “Sport” and “Sport-Plus,” the E-Hybrid is equipped with four new modes.
- E-Power puts the car in pure electric mode
- Hybrid Auto automatically balances out the two motors for optimal efficiency
- E-Hold conserves electric power
- E-Charge runs the Biturbo V6 harder to improve charging of the electric systems
The car’s non-hybrid systems are improved as well. The 8-speed torque converter automatic of the previous Panamera has given way to an 8-Speed PDK, and the all-new 2.9l twin turbo six generates 330 horsepower and 331 ft. lbs without the aid of the electric systems.
Pricing for the US market has not been announced yet, though a 107,553 EUR starting price, including VAT has been announced for European buyers. Porsche indicates that pricing will undercut the Panamera 4S in the Canadian market. US deliveries are expected in the latter half of next year.
