Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche has announced its most economical model ever.

The Panamera S Hybrid achieves 41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 159 g/km, according to the New European Driving Cycle test. The slight caveat is that those figures are only possible with specially developed - and optional - Michelin low rolling resistance tyres.


Nevertheless, even on normal rubber the hybrid manages 39.7 mpg (7.1 l/100km) and 167 g/km. Still very impressive considering that the best a purely petrol-powered Panamera will do is 25.0 mpg (11.3 l/100km) while pumping out 265 g/km of CO2.

Under the skin is the same technology that’s found in the Cayenne S Hybrid, which means a 328 bhp (245 kW / 333 PS) 3.0 litre supercharged six-cylinder petrol engine running in conjunction with a 45 bhp (34 kW / 47 PS) electric motor. Charge is stored in a nickel metal hydride battery, and an eight-speed Tiptronic S gearbox is fitted as standard.


The Panamera’s range using only its electric motor for propulsion is a little over a mile (around two kilometres). That isn’t a lot, but even such a meagre distance could prove handy in city centre stop-start driving. Perhaps of more use is the ‘sailing’ feature which, at speeds up to 103 mph (165 km/h), will completely shut down the petrol engine when it’s not actually delivering any power to the wheels.

Harnessing the combined 373 bhp (279 kW / 380 PS) from its motor and engine, the Panamera S Hybrid will accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.0 seconds, while the more relevant 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) increment is taken care of in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 168 mph (270 km/h).


Pricing has been set at £86,227 for the UK and €106,185 in Germany. Standard kit includes Porsche Active Suspension Management, which offers continuous electronic adjustment of the dampers. Adaptive air suspension and Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering are also fitted.

Following an appearance at the Geneva International Motor Show, the Panamera S Hybrid is scheduled to have its market launch in June 2011.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more