When it introduced the Panamera model about 15 years ago, the Germans from Porsche probably knew it was going to be a hit, just like everything else they've ever done. It would be interesting to know, however, if the company knew just how big of a hit.
Last year alone, for instance, the model sold no less than 34,020 units. The number represents more than ten percent of the carmaker's total sales number for the year, and a great incentive for Porsche to keep investing in the model. And invest it did, as the third generation of the breed was just presented a few short months ago.
When it introduced the new variant back in November, Porsche let loose the Turbo E-Hybrid version, but it also said there would be a total of four different E-Hybrid powertrains in the range to accompany the ICE-powered Panamera and Panamera 4.
Two more hybrid variants of the model were presented by the German carmaker this week, in the form of the 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid, each of them bringing a bit more power and a lot of improvements compared to the previous versions. In the case of both of them, Porsche devised a new powertrain system, with both the hybrid and ICE components being significantly revised.
In the case of the 4 E-Hybrid the powertrain is centered around a 2.9-litre gasoline biturbo V6 engine that on its own can develop a total of 300 horsepower. An electric motor, however, helps it increase the car's total output to 464 hp and 650 Nm of torque.
The above numbers allow the sports saloon to accelerate from a standstill to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds, and to reach a top speed of 174 mph (280 kph).
The more impressive 4S E-Hybrid packs pretty much the same engine and motor combination, but its total output is significantly greater. The ICE unit is good for 349 horsepower, with the electric motor making up the difference to an impressive 536 hp and 750 Nm of torque.
Photo: Porsche
Those figures translate into an acceleration time to 62 mph of just 3.7 seconds, and a top speed of 180 mph (290 kph).
Because both cars are plug-in hybrids it's worth knowing a thing or two about the batteries and electric motors that animate them as well. In both models Porsche fitted a 25.9 kWh high-voltage battery that has about 45 percent more capacity in a comparable space.
The battery feeds a completely new electric motor. It was built in such a way as to have a rotor spinning inside the stator in a bid to reduce mass inertia and improve throttle response.
Generally speaking, the battery offers an all-electric range of 60 miles (96 km), which is quite an increase compared to what came before. But the thing's range is not only given by an external plug but by the recuperation efforts of the electric motor as well.
Speaking of an external plug, the two new Panamera hybrids can be connected to such a system with the help of a new 11 kW onboard charger. It has been designed in such a way to reduce charging time to two hours and 39 minutes – that may still seem a lot for an EV, but when it comes to the Panamera itself, it's quite the improvement (the previous time was close to four hours).
Both new Panameras will benefit from four E-Hybrid-specific driving modes, topped by the Sport and Sport Plus settings. They will always start in the purely electric E-Power mode and automatically switch to Hybrid Auto when battery levels drop under a certain point.
Photo: Porsche
The two other hybrid modes are E-Hold (battery levels are preserved) and E-Charge, where the ICE is used to charge the battery. That happens when the car is traveling at speeds of over 34 mph (55 kph), and can take the battery levels to as high as 80 percent.
The 4 E-Hybrid is equipped as standard with 19-inch wheels, black brake calipers, and matrix LED headlights, while its more potent sibling comes fitted with 20-inch wheels, silver Sports tailpipes, and red brake calipers. Naturally, a long list of optional extras will be on the table for both of them.
Both new models are already available for order in Europe, and they should be on the dealers' lots sometime in the second quarter of the year. On the American market, on the other hand, the local configurator doesn't show any hint of the two new models (in fact, not even the Turbo E-Hybrid isn't available yet).
As for pricing, Porsche is tight-lipped about for the time being. Just to give you a sense of things, though, consider the 2024 Panamera 4 is selling in the U.S. from $106,900.
Porsche did not make any mention of when the fourth E-Hybrid variant of the new Panamera will be shown.
Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies. Full profile
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