For example, as with the world-beating hypercar, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s electric drive system is made available as soon as the driver touches the accelerator pedal. The engine decoupler is also quicker to respond as it uses an electric clutch actuator (ECA) instead of an electro-hydraulic system.
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Deliveries of the new Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will begin in mid-April with a worldwide launch following later in 2017.
The second-generation auto follows the reveal of the Panamera 4S, 4S Diesel and Turbo two months ago.
With this combination, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 278km/h.
Porsche’s new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) teams a 243kW/450Nm 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with a 100kW/400Nm electric motor, making for combined outputs of 340kW and 700Nm.
Previously, the throttle had to be depressed four-fifths through its travel before the electric motor would be engaged. The official fuel economy figure of 94.1 e-mpg (2.5 L/100 km) on the European test cycle also makes it more economical than its predecessor.
As on other second-generation Panamera models revealed to date, drive is channelled through a new eight-speed dual clutch gearbox and multi-plate clutch four-wheel drive system.
Despite boasting a 4.7 kWh increase in energy storage at 14.1 kWh, it is claimed to weigh no more than the unit used by the older Panamera S E-Hybrid.
E-Hold mode conserves the battery’s current state of charge, while E-Charge mode involves the petrol engine charging the battery during driving – to achieve this, the engine generates more power than required for driving. In addition to the usual Sport and Sport Plus modes from other Porsche models, there are hybrid-specific E-Power (for electric power), Hybrid Auto (for maximum efficiency), E-Hold (for maintaining a specific charge level), and E-Charge (for on-the-run charging using the internal combustion engine) modes.
Charging takes 5.8 hours using a 230-V, 10-A connection, though if optioned with the 7.2kW on-board charger and 230-V, 32-A connection over the standard 3.6kW charger the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid’s battery can be fully charged in 3.6 hours.
The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid comes with some impressive performance for a hybrid and we suspect this may end up being a popular model for Porsche, have a look at the video below. Porsche Communication Management (PCM) or the Porsche Car Connect app (for smartphones and Apple Watch) can be used to start the charging remotely.
In order to make the performance hybrid sedan a reality, Porsche borrowed technology from the 918 Spyder. There is also a boost assistant that displays the energy available for boosting performance via the electric motor as well as a hybrid assistant that provides information on how to regulate the electric drive for maximum economy. The newly developed underpinnings use a 3-chamber design in combination with electronic damper control and dynamic chassis control that supports torque vectoring and active roll stabilization.
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The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid rides on a standard air suspension.
