After several hybrid electric vehicle launches in 2010, Porsche is now making another HEV; the Panamera S Hybrid. This mama is hot looking, elegant and gives you 380 horsepower with fuel consumption of only 6.8 L/100 km.
While the “official” EPA estimates will be out on or about at the sale date, Porsche is claiming that “the Panamera S Hybrid is the most fuel efficient Porsche of all time.”
It’s going to have optional low-rolling-resistance tires that were developed for the Panamera to get the better fuel economy. However, Porsche is stating that even with their standard tires, the Panamera S Hybrid’s fuel consumption is 33 miles per gallon. That’s equal to 159 g/km of CO2, making it the most economical Porsche of all time. Pretty impressive for a Porsche.
The Panamera S Hybrid sets new standards in terms of Porsche performance as well as hybrid efficiencies. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds and has a top track speed of 167 mph (270 km/h). Its range in purely electric mode is approximately one mile, with electric-only acceleration possible up to just over 50 mph (85 km/h).
The Porsche hybrid drive is a parallel drive which further reduces fuel consumption at high speeds. This is because at its’ ‘sailing’ or coasting mode, when the driver lifts off the accelerator at normal highway cruising speeds, the gasoline engine is completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain by a decoupling clutch.
This will also eliminate the engine’s drag and braking effects.
While I haven’t driven the car, Porsche states that as soon as the driver presses the accelerator, to pass another vehicle for example, the gasoline engine smoothly starts within fractions of a second and engine rpms are increased to match the current vehicle speed. I think their description is probably accurate since it is a Porsche and is equipped with a “Hybrid Manager” or controller.
Same As The Cayenne But Better Fuel Economy
The same drive system in the Cayenne S Hybrid is also in the Panamera S Hybrid. It’s got a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine delivering 333 horsepower is supported by a 47-horsepower (34 kW) electric motor.
The vehicle uses nickel metal hydride (NiMh) batteries which are very good. I used to drive the old school Toyota RAV4 EV which had NiMh batteries and it never failed me…ever!!
There is one slight problem with this new Porsche hybrid. The Panamera S Hybrid will go on sale in the United States later in 2011 at a base suggested retail price of $95,000 (excluding destination). Hey; anyone got 95 grand? I’ll pick up the shipping fees…
About Seth Leitman
