autoevolution
 

Porsche Breaks Lap Record On Six FIA-approved Circuits With Panamera PHEV

If you’re in the market for a comfortable, sporty, large, and efficient sedan with luxurious features, look no further than the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Adding to the specialness of the range-topping Panamera, Porsche decided to break the lap record for the fastest luxury four-door hybrid sedan on not one, not two, but six FIA-approved tracks around the world.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid 11 photos
Photo: Porsche
2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
Although somewhat specialized if you think about it, the lap records in question are a testament to how performance-oriented the plug-in hybrid model is. And by the way, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is a hatchback if we want to be 100 percent correct about the body style.

A promo and two specific clips have been uploaded to YouTube so far, showing the Porsche do its thing at wide open throttle. Described as “one of the most technologically advanced circuits in the world,” the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is 5.5 kilometers long and the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid can lap it in 2:31.9.

Moving on to Sakhir in Bahrain, the 15 turns and 5.4 kilometers of the circuit are tackled by the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid in 2:18.96. Sakhir is the place where the FIA holds the Six Hours of Bahrain endurance race as part of the World Endurance Championship.

Driven by test and development driver Lars Kern, the white-painted car in the clips starts at 185.736 euros for the standard-wheelbase configuration. The Executive is €199,183 while the Sport Turismo shooting brake comes in at €188,592. Despite the heft, all-wheel drive and the 680-horsepower combined output make the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid the second most powerful Porsche in production today after the 911 GT2 RS.

Speaking of the 911 GT2 RS, it’s the Volkswagen Group that ruined the sports car’s Nurburgring record with the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. At the time of writing, the Huracan Performante-like take on the Aventador is the quickest production car on the world’s most demanding circuit.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories