The Cayenne SUV was the first Porsche to be made available with a hybrid drivetrain when it was introduced last year, and now we have the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Externally, this new variant can be differentiated from other Panameras by the “Hybrid” badges on the front doors and boot lid, as well as by its 19-inch five-spoke “Panamera Design” wheels. This car still won’t win any beauty contests, but it is undoubtedly imposing.
The internal combustion engine in the eco-Panamera is a 3-litre supercharged V6 lump (from the Audi S4) that develops 333bhp and 440Nm. Unlike, say, the Lexus RX450h, which has an electric motor powering the rear wheels to supplement the petrol V6 driving the front wheels, the Panamera Hybrid features a 34kW (47bhp) electric motor integrated with the transmission.
Together, the integral electric motor and supercharged V6 engine pump out 380bhp and 580Nm – pretty close to the 400bhp output of the 4.8-litre V8 Panamera S.
With a quoted 0-100km/h time of 6 seconds, the Panamera S hybrid certainly feels quick for a large five-door powered by “just” a 3-litre V6 engine. With the electric motor boosting acceleration from very low speeds, the Panamera hybrid doesn’t feel heavy getting off the line – something that cannot be said of the standard 3.6 V6 version.
On the road, one can hardly feel the hybrid system at work as it seamlessly switches between petrol power and electric drive, and vice versa. Power delivery via the 8-speed automatic is seamless, with more than enough go at any given speed.
Thanks to this, the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient Porsche today – yet remains fast.
A unique feature of Porsche’s so-called parallel full hybrid system is its E Power mode, whereby the Panamera employs electric power alone at speeds of up to 85km/h with moderate throttle input. This mode can also be manually selected via a button on the centre console.
The hybrid-powered Panamera doesn’t suffer the snatchy brake pedal that afflicts its Cayenne equivalent, and the Panamera’s batteries are more compact than those in the SUV and therefore don’t compromise boot space as much.
All in all, this speedy green giant is a regular Panamera that offers clear hybrid benefits of improved driveability in town and superior fuel economy.
Porsche Panamera S Hybrid 3.0 (A)
ENGINE 2995cc, 24-valves, V6, supercharged, hybrid
MAX POWER 333bhp at 5500-6500rpm (380bhp incl. motor output)
MAX TORQUE 440Nm at 3000-5250rpm (580Nm incl. motor output)
GEARBOX 8-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 6 seconds
TOP SPEED 270km/h
CONSUMPTION 14.7km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE $415,888
Check out the Porsche Panamera Hybrid
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