An indicator of Porsche’s prospect

“Is it the four-door comfy version of the 918 Spyder? Pretty close,” said Issam.

“Revolutionary delight of electro-supercar.”

“A car that is surprisingly agile to drive despite its heavy mass.”

“Cruised around and adored the vehicle’s capability as a comfortable sedan, as well as an exciting sports sedan, on Vancouver Island.”

When we think about electric vehicles we always have in mind the electrification technology of a Toyota Prius. But in fact that’s a long gone era: times have changed. The know-how has evolved. The German car manufacturer used its best expertise in combustion electrification and spilled (out of the third most powerful model in the Porsche lineup) a 680 horsepower Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

With an unprecedented combination of performance, comfort and efficiency, the new 680 horsepower Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid highlights the importance of electromobility at Porsche. For the first time, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer has made a plug-in hybrid the top model in a model line. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid – capable of top speeds of up 310 km/h – is powered by an electric motor (136 horsepower) and a V8 turbo petrol engine (550 horsepower). The performance-oriented boost strategy of this engine combination was first designed for the 918 Spyder, a Porsche super sports car. The Gran Turismo model has an electric range of up to 50 kilometers for emission-free local driving.

Driving performance 
A key characteristic of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is its superb power delivery across engine speed ranges. At just above idle speed (from 1,400 rpm), the car has 850 Nm of torque at its disposal; this value remains constant up to 5,500 rpm. The eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission transfers power to the all-wheel Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system. The electric motor and V8 engine take the Porsche to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, or 3.5 seconds in the Executive model with extended wheelbase. The boost strategy was developed directly from the system used in the 918 Spyder super sports car. The electric drive not only delivers exceptional energy efficiency, but also additional thrust – creating an additional electric turbo that enables Porsche to rightfully position the Panamera sports car in the same class as its large touring counterparts.

Electric range 
This exceptional performance comes coupled with outstanding efficiency. Average consumption in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) is 2.9 L/100 km; electricity consumption is 16.2 kWh/100 km. The top model in the Panamera line can travel up to 50 kilometers on electricity alone – an electric range that will allow many drivers of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid to complete their daily, local commute without generating any emissions at all. In Germany, for example, investigations by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure have established that 80 percent of all car drivers in the Panamera’s home country cover less than 50 kilometers per day.

The electric motor in the hybrid model is supplied with energy via a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery with an energy capacity of 14.1 kWh. The high-voltage battery integrated in the rear is fully charged in less than six hours at 10-amps via a 230-volt connection. If the Panamera uses the optional 7.2-kW on-board charger and a 230-volt, 32-amp connection instead of the standard 3.6-kW charger, the battery is fully charged in just 2.4 hours. The charging process can also be started using a timer via Porsche Communication Management (PCM) or the Porsche Connect app (for smartphones and Apple Watch). Moreover, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is fitted with auxiliary air conditioning as standard to cool or heat the passenger compartment even during charging using energy from the power grid.

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is the only vehicle in its class to combine the option of pure electric driving with the performance of a true sports car and the comfort of a touring car. As the second plug-in hybrid model in the model line – following in the tracks of its predecessor, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (462 horsepower) – the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid highlights the importance of electromobility at Porsche.

Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport
The extended standard equipment of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid includes auxiliary air conditioning, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport), including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), Power Steering Plus and 21-inch alloy wheels in the 911 Turbo design. The basic package also includes adaptive aerodynamic elements and a three-chamber air suspension system, including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). Furthermore, the Executive version is equipped with rear axle steering as standard.

In keeping with the overall concept of the Panamera, the chassis combines the ride comfort of a luxury saloon with the performance of a true sports car. The basic chassis layout is complemented by a multitude of innovative systems designed for maximum comfort and performance. Virtually all of these assistance and convenience systems are part of the standard specification of the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid – including adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the active chassis control system and anti-roll system Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). In the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive, which features an extended wheelbase, rear-axle steering is standard. By integrating rear-axle steering, Porsche is bringing the steering precision and handling characteristics of the sports car to the luxury saloon class. In all Panamera models, the integrated Porsche 4D Chassis Control system analyzes and synchronizes all chassis systems in real time, providing data that is used to optimize handling.

Driving modes
The Sport Chrono Package, including the mode switch integrated into the steering wheel, forms part of the standard equipment on the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. The mode switch and the Porsche Communication Management system are used to select the various driving modes. These modes include the familiar ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ modes from the other Panamera models equipped with the Sport Chrono Package. The hybrid-specific modes are E-Power, Hybrid Auto, E-Hold and E-Charge.

E-Power: In E-Power mode, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid drives up to 50 kilometers on electricity alone for emissions-free local journeys.

Hybrid Auto: The Hybrid Auto mode is a completely new development. When this mode is selected, the Panamera changes and combines the drive sources automatically for ultimate efficiency.

E-Hold: The E-Hold mode allows drivers to consciously conserve the current state of charge to enable them to switch to electric and therefore zero-emissions mode in an environmental zone at their destination, for example.

E-Charge: In E-Charge mode, the battery is charged by the eight-cylinder engine; to achieve this, the petrol engine generates a higher level of power than is actually needed just for driving.

Sport and Sport Plus: The highest level of drive performance is made available in the ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ modes. The V8 biturbo is active continuously in these modes. In ‘Sport’ mode, the battery charge is always maintained at a minimum level to ensure that sufficient boost reserve capacity is available when needed. ‘Sport Plus’ mode is all about maximum performance. In addition, the battery is charged as quickly as possible to ensure maximum performance.

Interior
A particular highlight of the second-generation Porsche Panamera is its display and control concept, in the form of the standard Porsche Advanced Cockpit with touch-sensitive panels and individually configurable displays. The interactive cockpit takes the form of two seven-inch screens. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is distinguished from other cars in the model line by its unique power meter for hybrid driving, with an acid-green indicator and “turbo S” logo. The power meter provides data such as the amount of electrical energy currently being used or the energy being recovered through recuperation.

A 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center console functions as a central PCM control and display unit, via which the driver can access various items of hybrid-specific information. The boost assistant and hybrid assistant are both practical and informative. The boost assistant display shows the energy available for boosting, while the hybrid assistant provides various visual signals for regulating the electrical drive power.

Verdict
What a great success for Porsche, the right circuit for the right kind of vehicle; thumbs up! In my belief it doesn’t really seem irrational for an upcoming 911 Turbo S to track the Panamera’s performance-hybrid foot. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid has all the hypercar high-technology from the 918 Spyder to shine as Porsche’s revolutionary four-door electro-supercar. Think about it twice, it is the fastest hybrid sedan on planet earth!

Pros: Dual characters: silent and violent, super-fast, comfortable, infotainment screen
Cons: Weighs almost 2.5 tons, lacks emotion, when driving on e-power road noise is audible in the cabin
Rivals: Mercedes-AMG S 63
one word: astronomical
4.5 stars

Specs
4.0L, V8 biturbo, 680 hp @ 5,750 – 6,000 rpm, 850 Nm @ 1,400 – 5,500 rpm
Combustion engine
4.0L, V8 biturbo, 550 hp @ 5,750 – 6,000 rpm, 770 Nm @ 1,960 – 4,500 rpm
Electric motor
136 hp @ 2,800 rpm, 400 Nm @ 100 – 2,300 rpm
8-speed auto PDK, 4WD
0-100 km/h: 3.4 sec, top speed: 310 km/h, fuel consumption: 2.9 L/100 km
0-100 km/h (electric): 6 sec, top speed (electric): 140 km/h,
Weight: 2,310 kg