Porsche will be unveiling the plug-in hybrid model of their all-new Panamera super sedan at the Paris Motor Show later this month, but they've given us an early sneak preview of the new car. We've already seen some of the other models, like the Turbo and the S, but this is the first look at the gas-electric version.
At the heart of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is a 2.9L twin-turbo V6 that makes 325 hp and 332 lb-ft. The hybrid portion comes courtesy of an electric motor mounted in front of an eight-speed PDK (dual clutch automatic) gearbox that can produce 134 hp and 295 lb-ft. That gives the combo 456 hp and 516 lb-ft, 46 hp more than the outgoing model. It's also 22 hp and 111 lb-ft more than the 4S that uses the same gas V6.
The new car will be tuned to be electric as much as possible. The electric motor will now work with the gas engine at all times, where previously it was mostly available only above 80 per cent throttle. The electric assist response is based on the 918 Spyder supercar's tuning, so is better able to provide full-time electric operation and assist than before. From start-up, the car will be in E-Power mode, which is a pure EV mode. The Panamera's 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery provides a range of roughly 50 km (under ideal conditions), and an electric top speed of 130 km/h, according to Porsche.
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