A complete and compelling package providing V8 petrol engine like performance, V6 diesel like economy and exceptional refinement

What is it?

Thanks to its growing acceptance in North America, it’s now got to the stage where hybrid drive is the rule rather than the exception in the luxury car ranks, as the Audi A8 e-tron, BMW 7-series Active Hybrid, Lexus LS600h and Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid all attest. No surprise, then, to see Porsche looking to get in the petrol-electric action with its new Panamera S Hybrid.

See pics of the Porsche Panamera S hybrid in action

What’s it like?

Set to join Porsche’s local line-up in June, the big four door liftback, borrows its advanced driveline from the Cayenne S Hybrid. It pairs the 328bhp supercharged V6 petrol engine with a 47bhp electric motor that draws energy from a 1.7kW/h nickel-metal hydride battery mounted in the floor of the boot.

As a full hybrid, both can power the new Porsche depending on the driving conditions, with the electric motor claimed to provide zero emission capability up to 53mph in ideal conditions in eco power mode. For full performance potential, the two pool their reserves to provide a total of 375bhp along with a sturdy 427lb ft of torque –19bhp shy but 58lb ft more than the 4.8-litre V8 petrol-engined Panamera S.

The hybrid system favours electric propulsion from start up, resulting in an eerily quiet character as you set off. It requires a smooth driving technique and loads of patience, but be prepared to forego acceleration away from the lights for more leisurely progress in city conditions and you can eek out a reasonable range on the electric motor alone in city driving. Not that we managed to get anywhere near the 1.2 miles claimed by Porsche.

At higher speeds there’s a more regular interaction between the petrol engine and electric motor, but the transition from one to the other is absolutely seamless. Under constant throttle load, it is the petrol engine that does the majority of the work, providing both power to the rear wheels and, via the electric motor which works like an alternator when not in operation, a small charge of electricity to top up the battery when required.

Push hard and you’re rewarded with an impressive turn of speed. At 1980kg – a good 80kg more than the Panamera S, there’s a lot of mass to shift. But with all that torque developed at just 1000rpm, the Panamera Hybrid possess a solid in gear performance, as revealed in its 50-75mph split of just 3.9sec.

The Panamera S Hybrid uses a different gearbox to the rest of the Panamera line-up save the soon-to-be-launched Panamera S Diesel. The eight-speed torque converter equipped automatic, the only choice of gearbox available, is equipped with Porsche’s fiddly steering wheel mounted shift buttons for remote shifting. Unlike the four-wheel drive Cayenne S Hybrid, though, drive is sent to the rear wheels.

More than straight line performance, though, it is the overall efficiency that Porsche champions the most. With automatic stop/start, brake energy recuperation and an advanced clutch arrangement to disengage the engine on a trailing throttle, the big four-seater is claimed to return 39.8mpg (7.1L/100km/h) on the combined cycle, for an overall 167g/km. Option it up with low rolling resistance tyres and economy improves, with an official 41.5mpg (6.8/100km) and 159g/km.

To put that into perspective, the Panamera S achieves 22.6mpg (12.5L/100km) and 293g/km in base six-speed manual rear wheel drive guise.

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That extra weight makes its presence felt on challenging roads; there’s greater body roll and an added tendency for the front end to run wide when you enter a corner too fast than in the more inherently sporting Panamera S. However, ride quality on the sophisticated air suspension, which is set to be an option in the UK, is nicely controlled. There’s an inherent firmness, but it still manages to absorb most irregularities with impressive composure.

Porsche is under no illusion with the Panamera S Hybrid, saying it is aimed primarily at the North American market, which is expected to take up to 26 per cent of planned production volume. But with British motorists now more than ever seeking ways to reduce their running costs, it is hopeful the new four door will make an impact here at the expense of its petrol-electric rivals, even at a steep £86,476. Our advice? Wait until the Panamera S Diesel, a car that promises to be better suited to our driving conditions, arrives later this year before making any firm decisions.

Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid

Price: £86,476; Top speed: 169mph; 0-62mph: 6.0sec; Economy: 39.8mpg (combined); CO2: 167g/km; Kerb weight: 1980kg; Engine: V6 2995cc, petrol, plus electric motor; Power: 375bhp at 5500rpm; Torque: 427lb ft at 1000rpm; Gearbox: 8-speed automatic

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Submariner Redux 12 May 2011

Re: Porsche Panamera S hybrid

Broughster wrote:

However, the tests are carried out by the manufacturers themselves, not an independent body. Hence they can get up to what they like to produce the best figures they can (within the rules). If you don't understand how rules can be 'flexed' please have a look at Formula 1.

I also know that those figures are the only ones that they can use and appreciate that fact. My point is that the tests need to be changed and performed by an independent body so that we can regain confidence in them, otherwise they are useless.

Does not make sense. Car manufacturers are not falsifying these results. Whoever carries out the official stupid tests in the official stupid way will get the same meaningless answers out of the same car, whether they do it on their own premises or in a government lab. If you have all the acual testing carried out by governments rather than car people, the car people will still know what the process is, and be able to reproduce it on their own premises, for the purposes of making cars which score well on the official tests. (Which is very much in the interests of us as their customers, as we pay less tax as a result. It is cheaper to run a 30 mpg car that scores well on the official CO2 tests than a 30 MPG car which scores badly. *Much* cheaper, if it's a company car)

38carssofar 12 May 2011

Re: Porsche Panamera S hybrid

Just for the record ... My Audi S5 Cab (3.0 V6T) does 8 - 16 mpg around town - depending on driving style and conditions and no more than 26 mpg on a steady legal motorway run .....

Sid Slim 12 May 2011

Re: Porsche Panamera S hybrid

Re: the above posts on unrealistic fuel and CO2 figures, this article is quite interesting. Apparently the EU wants to have "real world" testing in place by 2013.

Personally I think it can't come soon enough, as hybrids get an unfair advantage in any comparison with IC vehicles. Hybrids certainly have their place, but an environmentally-minded fleet manager isn't going to do any good by equipping their reps with "75mpg" hybrids to zip up and down the motorway.