The latest hybrid in Porsche's stable will debut at the
Geneva Motor Show next month. The Panamera S Hybrid comes with a 46bhp electric motor, assisting the 328bhp supercharged three-litre V6 petrol engine. Claimed performance figures include a six-second zero to 62mph time and a top speed of 168mph. Its economy is measured at 41.5mpg on the combined cycle, with 159g/km CO
2 emissions.
The range of purely electric mode is estimated to extend as far as 1.25 miles at up to 53mph. Porsche also introduces 'sailing' mode to this drivetrain. When no power is required from the combustion engine, the engine is switched off and the drivetrain can be decoupled at speeds of up to 103mph.
The electric motor is fed by a nickel metal hydride (NiMh) battery with braking energy recovery. Power to the wheels is transmitted through an eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission.
Every Porsche Panamera comes standard with leather interior, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), bi-Xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, adaptive air suspension, a vehicle tracking system and a display panel monitoring the hybrid drivetrain.
The Panamera range now comprises six different models with different choices of engine, number of driven wheels and now a hybrid powertrain. The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid will be available in the UK from June 2011, priced from £86,156.
Gábor Vajda - 16 Feb 2011