Porsche introduces the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
The German sports-car peddler has just unveiled details and pictures of the new plug-in version of their Panamera sedan. Redesigned from the ground up, the 2017 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will feature a twin-turbo, 2.9-litre V6 and an electric motor combined with an all-wheel drivetrain and a new PDK eight-speed automated transmission.
The gasoline engine produces 330 horsepower, while the electric motor generates 136 hp. Porsche claims a combined output of 462 horses and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. The car can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and keeps pulling to achieve a top speed of 278 km/h.
Performance numbers aside, the 2017 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid received a fuel consumption rating of 2.5 L/100 km on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) for PHEVs. This version of the Panamera can run on electric power alone at up to 140 km/h, and boasts a range of 50 km on a full charge. Depending on the type of on-board charger chosen, the sedan can be fully charged in 3.6 to 5.8 hours.
Unlike the previous-generation Panamera S E-Hybrid, whose electric motor kicked in only when accelerator was pressed down at least 80%, the new car’s electric power is made available as soon the driver touches the gas pedal.
For the rest, the 2017 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is pretty much similar to the other versions of the sedan, although its information centre does add a power meter for the operation of the hybrid powertrain as well as a boost assistant displaying the available energy for performance driving, and a hybrid assistant for managing the drive under electric power only.
The new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will be available in Europe starting in April 2017, and should arrive in North America soon thereafter. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced for the Canadian market, but we expect it to start at about $110,000.