Serving up serious sport with room for four.
Like it or not, the hybrid movement isn’t just a trend anymore – it’s the way of the future and is sneaking its way into every kind of vehicle. Even Porsche with their 918 Spyder super car and 919 Hybrid racecar are developing innovative technology to not just cut down on emissions and fuel consumption, but improve performance as well. That technology has since bled down the model line and the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is the latest to showcase the new innovations.
Hybrid technology isn’t just a gimmick at Porsche. It’s led to two back-to-back 24 Hours of Le Mans victories in 2015 and 2016 with the 919 Hybrid. And with that comes a dedication to performance not just efficiency with the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid.
The plug-in-hybrid Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid features a gasoline-powered 2.9-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine as the main method of propulsion as well as an additional electric motor paired with an electromechanically-actuated electric clutch actuator (ECA) and liquid-cooled 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery. Unlike the previous-generation model, the electric motor produces power right at the touch of the throttle. This gives instant power in virtually any situation.
A total of 462 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque is produced by the gasoline and electric motors in the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid with 330 horsepower and 331 lb-ft. of torque coming from the twin-turbo V-6. This allows the all-wheel drive sports sedan to reach 60 mph from rest in just 4.4 seconds and hit a top track speed of 172 mph. Transferring all of that power is an eight-speed PDK gearbox.
In the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, the Sport Chrono package comes standard as does a number of different driving modes including the Hybrid-specific “E-Power”, “Hybrid Auto”, “E-Hold”, and “E-Charge”. The “E-Power” mode provides pure electric operation for up to 31 miles while “Hybrid Auto” automatically optimized both combustion and electric mode sources. In “E-Hold”, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will keep the battery’s charge while utilizing electric mode. The “E-Charge” mode uses the V-6 engine to charge the battery while driving by having it produce more power than what is needed during driving. Ultimate driving performance can be achieved in “Sport” and “Sport Plus” modes where the electric motor is used to boost the output of the V-6 engine.
The Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid can also be charged using a basic 120-volt, 10-amp connection in 12 hours. The plug-in hybrid also can be charged quicker through the optional 7.2 kW on-board charger in less than three hours with a 240-volt, 40-amp connection as well. Drivers can monitor the charging process using the Porsche Car Connect app, and can be initiated via timer using the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system. An auxiliary heater or air conditioning system can make the cabin more comfortable while charging for occupants as well.
Inside, the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid takes a few cues from the Porsche 918 Spyder. Hybrid-specific displays show relevant energy and battery data during driving through two 7.0-inch screens flanking the tachometer as part of the Porsche Advanced Cockpit. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display serves as the main Porsche Communication Management control and display unit for drivers and passengers.
The new Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will be shown at the upcoming 2016 Paris Motor Show and be hitting North American dealerships in the summer of 2017. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Specifications
Engines:
Displacement: 2.9 liters
Number of Cylinders: V-6
Aspiration: Twin-turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 330
Maximum Torque: 331 lb-ft.
Electric Motor Maximum Horsepower: 136
Electric Motor Maximum Torque: 295 lb-ft.
Total System Horsepower: 462
Total System Torque: 516 lb-ft.
Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds
Top Speed: 172 mph
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Gallery
Source: Porsche
Is the new 462-HP Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid a your choice for efficient sports sedan?
