Porsche is introducing its first plug-in hybrid – the Panamera S E-Hybrid. It’s part of a new generation of Panamera models that will debut at Auto China in Shanghai later this month, and will go on sale late in 2013.
The S E-Hybrid improves upon the previous Panamera S Hybrid with a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery, and of course, that cool cable. The 95 hp electric motor has more than double the power of the hybrid model’s (47 hp), and the lithium-ion battery, at 9.4 kWh, is of course much larger than that of the hybrid version (1.7 kWh). The gas engine is a 3.0-liter V6 with twin turbochargers. The battery can reach full charge in about two and a half hours at 240 V.
This baby does 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. An electric boost function offers maximum acceleration, and can be activated by a “kick-down switch in the throttle pedal.” Top speed is 167 mph, or 84 mph in all-electric mode. Porsche estimates the electric range at over 20 miles.
The Panamera’s parallel hybrid system enables “coasting” at higher speeds, a mode wherein the internal combustion engine is turned off and the electric motors use vehicle momentum to charge the battery.
There’s a new range of convenience functions that are operated by the Porsche Car Connect mobile app, including a charge status indicator and vehicle preheating or cooling. Porsche has made extensive changes to the exterior design of the Panamera line, and LED headlights are one of the new options available.
Panamera models start at $78,100, and the Panamera S E-Hybrid is $99,000.
Source: Porsche