Porsche adds two new Panamera hybrids to range

PORSCHE Cars Australia (PCA) has delivered on its promise of offering more hybrid Panameras, this week revealing and detailing the new ‘entry-level’ 4 E-Hybrid as well as the new flagship Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Priced from $245,900 and $420,800 plus on-road costs respectively, the 4 E-Hybrid slots into the middle of the wider Panamera range while the Turbo S E-Hybrid shoots straight to the top of the table, priced $11,300 clear of the ballistic Turbo S.

Available in regular, Executive (long wheelbase) and Sport Turismo (wagon) body styles, the 4 E-Hybrid is powered by a detuned version of the twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine as found in the pricier 4S E-Hybrid developing 243kW.

Combined with the same 100kW electric motor as all the Panamera hybrids, the 4 E-Hybrid produces a total of 340kW, with the electric motor drawing its power from a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery.

The exact driving range this affords the 4 E-Hybrid is yet to be revealed – along with a combined torque figure – however we expect it to match the 54km (WLTP city cycle) range of the 4S E-Hybrid given it features the same battery and electric motor.

Zero to 100km/h in the 4 E-Hybrid is dealt with 4.4 seconds while the top speed is pegged at 280km/h.

These figures pale in comparison however with the $420,800 Turbo S E-Hybrid which will stop the clock in 3.2 seconds and push on to a top speed of 315km/h.

Powered by an electrified version of the Turbo S’ twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, the Turbo S E-Hybrid produces a combined 514kW/870Nm, making it the most powerful Panamera to date.

Compared to the outgoing model, the new flagship has an extra 14kW/20Nm at its disposal, fulfilling another promise made by Porsche to up its performance credentials.

“It (Turbo S E-Hybrid) has more horsepower or PS (than the new Turbo S) but in terms of the weight of the car, on the Nurburgring, the conventional Turbo S is faster,” Panamera product line vice-president Dr Thomas Friemuth told Australian media in August – before the Turbo S E-Hybrid was officially confirmed.

One expectation that has not come to fruition however was the notion that the Turbo S E-Hybrid would be the performance king of the Panamera range, with the big greenie outstripped to the landmark 100km/h by the less powerful (463kW/820Nm) but much lighter Turbo S, although there is just 0.1s between the two (3.2s vs 3.1s).

To identify itself to the world as the most powerful Panamera to date, the Turbo S E-Hybrid brandishes dual C-shaped Turbo front light modules, bigger side air intakes and a full-width tail-light strip.

Standard equipment across the Panamera range includes leather upholstery with variant-specific embroidery, ventilated front seats, head-up display, push-button start, adaptive cruise control, soft close doors, ambient lighting, Park Assist, Porsche Communication Management, Connect Plus with Apple CarPlay, 710W Bose surround sound system, DAB+ digital radio and power tailgate.

Safety features meanwhile consist of lane keep assist, lane change assist, active bonnet, Porsche’s side impact protection system and a myriad of airbags.

While the majority of the updated Panamera range is due to arrive in Australia from December, PCA has confirmed the two new bookend hybrids will arrive in the first quarter of next year with orders able to be placed now.

PCA has sold 15 Panameras so far this year ending September, accounting for 3.1 per cent of the $100,000-plus upper-large car segment.

2021 Porsche Panamera pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs