Porsche will unveil the third model in its redesigned Panamera line at the Paris show: the 4 E-Hybrid with controlled all-wheel drive and an electric range of 30 miles (50km) in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The vehicle generates some 462 hp of total system power and delivers fuel consumption figures of 2.5 l/100 km (NEDC) for plug-in hybrid models. That corresponds to CO2 emissions of 56 g/km.
The new PHEV always starts in purely electric mode and continues as a zero-emission vehicle up to a range of 50km and a maximum speed of 140km/h. Top speed is 278 km/h and instantaneous system torque is 516 lb-ft from a standstill. The four-door breaks the 100km/h barrier in just 4.6 seconds.
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The 4 E-Hybrid features a hybrid strategy never before seen in this segment based on the 918 Spyder. the fastest series-produced vehicle ever to circumnavigate the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Its record lap time of 6:57 minutes can in part be attributed to the additional power provided by two electric motors.
As with the 918 Spyder, the power of the Panamera electric motor – 136 hp and 295 lb-ft torque – is made available as soon as the driver touches the accelerator pedal. On the predecessor model, the pedal needed to be pressed at least 80% of the way down to ass the additional power of the electric drive. Now, the electric motor and petrol engine interact in perfect harmony from the very outset. As with the 918 Spyder, the electric motor is available to deliver additional power at all times. This, together with the performance characteristics of the new 2.9-litre V6 biturbo engine (330 hp/331 lb-ft), generates an impressive boost scenario based on electric motor and turbochargers.
The electrical energy is also used to increase the car's top speed. This new type of E-Performance – more power, more driving fun, lower fuel consumption – is seen as the performance kit of the future.
New hybrid module and fast-shifting eight-speed PDK
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By GlobalDataTogether with the V6 gasoline engine decoupler, the electric motor heralds the new generation of the Porsche hybrid module. In contrast to the electro-hydraulic system of the predecessor model, the decoupler on the new Panamera is actuated electromechanically by an electric clutch actuator (ECA), resulting in even shorter response times.
As on the other second-generation Panamera models, a new, extremely fast and efficient-shifting eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) (twin clutch) transmission is used to transmit the power to the all-wheel drive. This transmission replaces the eight-speed automatic torque converter transmission on the predecessor model.
The electric motor is supplied with power via a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. And despite the fact that the energy content of the battery (which is integrated under the luggage compartment floor) has been increased from 9.4 to 14.1 kWh, its weight has remained the same. The high-voltage battery takes just 5.8 hours to fully charge via a 230-V, 10-A connection. If the driver chooses to use the optional 7.2 kW on-board charger and a 230-V, 32-A connection instead of the standard 3.6-kW charger on the Panamera, the battery fully charges in just 3.6 hours. The charging process can also be started using a timer via Porsche Communication Management (PCM) or the Porsche Car Connect app (for smartphones and Apple Watch). The 4 E-Hybrid is fitted as standard with an auxiliary system that will cool or heat the passenger compartment during charging, as needed.
Two seven-inch screens either side of the analogue rev counter form the interactive cockpit, and, in contrast to the other versions in the model line, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid features a power meter tailored to hybrid operation. The intuitive operating principle of the hybrid-specific displays is similar to that used in the Porsche 918 Spyder super sportscar. The power meter provides data such as the amount of electrical energy currently being used as well as that recovered through recuperation.
A 12.3-inch touchscreen functions as a central PCM control and display unit. The driver can access various items of hybrid-specific information both here on the dash and in the instrument cluster. The boost assistant and hybrid assistant are both practical and informative. The boost assistant display shows the energy available for boosting, while the hybrid assistant provides various visual signals for regulating the electrical drive power.
Ultimate efficiency in Hybrid Auto mode
The Sport Chrono Package including the mode switch integrated into the steering wheel forms part of the standard equipment on the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. The mode switch and Porsche Communication Management are used to activate the various driving modes. Hybrid-specific modes are E-Power, Hybrid Auto, E-Hold and E-Charge.
Hybrid Auto mode is a completely new development. When this mode is selected, the Panamera changes and combines the drive sources automatically for ultimate efficiency.
