LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: WORLD’S FIRST PLUG-IN HYBRID DRIVE IN THE LUXURY CLASS
April 3, 2013.- Stuttgart. In the second generation of the Gran Turismo, Porsche is introducing the world’s first plug-in hybrid to the luxury class. Along with the Panamera S E-Hybrid with 416 hp of system power, two luxurious Executive versions are also making their debut with an extended wheelbase and an entirely new three-litre V6 engine with biturbo charging for the Panamera S and Panamera 4S. An already unrivalled broad base of models has now been extended and consists of ten models offering an even further broader range between sportiness and comfort. New and further developed technologies have enabled fuel savings of up to 56 per cent, while further enhancing operating and driving comfort. The new Panamera underscores its exceptional positioning with an even more expressive design language in the style of the new sports car generations that are marked by tighter lines, more pronounced contours and newly shaped body elements. In short: The Porsche Panamera is even more efficient, sporty, comfortable and elegant. The new generation Gran Turismo celebrates its world premiere at Auto China in Shanghai, which opens its gates on the 21st of April 2013.
Panamera S E-Hybrid sets new standards in efficiency, performance and operating convenience
The Panamera S E-Hybrid is a systematically advanced development of the parallel full hybrids with a more powerful electric motor, a higher-performance battery that supplies more energy and the ability to charge it externally from the electrical grid. The electric drive produces 95 hp (70 kW), which is more than double the power of the previous model’s electric motor at 47 hp (34 kW). It draws its energy from a newly developed lithium-ion battery, which at 9.4 kWh has over five times the 1.7 kWh energy capacity of the previous battery in nickel metal hydride technology. When connected to an industrial outlet, it can be charged within around two and a half hours via the integrated on-board charger and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC), and it can be charged in less than four hours when connected to a conventional household electrical outlet in Germany.
The Panamera S E-Hybrid far exceeds the driving performance of the previous model. In addition, the previous model’s NEDC fuel consumption of 7.1 l/100 km was reduced by 56 per cent to 3.1 l/100 km. That equates to CO2 emissions of 71 g/km. At the same time, its all-electric driving performance was substantially improved with regard to electric acceleration, the electric range and electric top speed. An intensive pure electric driving experience is possible without any fuel consumption or local emissions, which is especially advantageous in the urban environment. The electric driving range of the Panamera S E-Hybrid was determined to be 36 kilometres in NEDC-based testing. Driving range may vary in real operation, since air conditioning and heating are deactivated in NEDC test conditions, for example. A realistic all-electric driving range in everyday operation would lie somewhere between 18 and 36 km – and under particularly favourable conditions it could even exceed this range. The Panamera with the new hybrid drive can reach speeds of up to 135 km/h in all-electric operation.
The acceleration time from a standstill to 100 km/h was shortened by half a second to 5.5 seconds. The electric boost function helps here, in which the performance of the electric motor boosts that of the combustion engine. Boosting can also be activated by kick-down – such as in overtaking situations. The car’s top speed is 270 km/h. The parallel full hybrid concept developed by Porsche also offers “coasting” at higher speeds, which refers to free coasting with the internal combustion engine shut off and energy recovery by generating electricity.
The forward-looking concept of the Panamera S E-Hybrid also embodies an entirely new range of convenience functions, which can also be activated and called up by a smart phone app. There is the charge status indicator, for example. In addition, the auxiliary climate control option of the plug-in hybrid enables car preheating or cooling via Porsche Car Connect; it can be programmed in the vehicle or even more conveniently via the smart phone app. A smart phone may also be used for battery management or for remote access to vehicle information such as the remaining driving range or for guiding users back to their parked vehicles. All functions that are not specific to the hybrid drive are also available as options for the other Panamera models via the Car Connect smart phone app from Porsche.
Long wheelbase, spacious rear seating area: Executive models with the comfort of the exclusive class
The spatial concept of the Panamera with two full-fledged bucket seats in the rear seating area proved to be so successful that Porsche is further extending it in the new generation Gran Turismo. The new Panamera Turbo Executive and Panamera 4S Executive models – with their 15 cm longer wheelbase – offer more rear seating space and even better ride comfort. They have a very extensive range of features, and above all they offer exceptional comfort at both rear seat locations as standard. All Executive models have the innovative Panamera air suspension, which combines excellent ride comfort and typical Porsche driving properties.
More performance and efficiency by downsizing: new V6 biturbo engine
Boosting of performance and efficiency is a core competency at Porsche. In developing the new Panamera, this led to an entirely new engine based on the downsizing concept: a V6 engine with three litres displacement and biturbo charging. The V6 biturbo replaces the previous 4.8-litre V8 engine in the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, and it is also used in the new Executive version of the Panamera 4S. Its basic parameters themselves are indicators of progress: 20 hp more power and 20 Newton metres more torque, but up to 18 per cent better fuel economy compared to the V8 engine in the previous model. This not only gives the driver a more powerful and efficient engine; turbocharging results in a maximum torque of 520 Newton metres being available over a very broad range of engine speeds for a superior and uniform power curve, even at low revs.
Most Panamera models are equipped with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung PDK. The comfortable eight-speed automatic Tiptronic S operates in the Panamera Diesel and Panamera S E-Hybrid. This transmission creates optimal conditions for further development of other efficiency functions. For example, the extended start-stop function now deactivates the engine earlier while coasting to a stop, which saves more fuel. With the exception of the Panamera GTS, models with PDK also offer a coasting function in which the clutches open in overrun, the engine idles, and the vehicle coasts freely. This function can significantly improve fuel economy, especially when travelling on the motorway.
Further developed design with a new option: LED headlights
The further advanced exterior design of the Panamera can be made out at first glance. The tighter and more prominent linework at the front end is especially apparent in the larger air intakes and the distinctive transition to the headlights. In side profile, the new, more swept-back rear window creates an even more extended silhouette. When viewed from the back, the new generation Panamera is primarily made out by its new boot lid. The widened rear window emphasises the horizontal orientation of the Gran Turismo and therefore its sporty character. The rear section itself was also redesigned, including the wider spoiler, and it shows a tighter transition to the rear lights, similar to the visual transition of the headlights at the front of the car.
As in previous models, the new Panamera models also offer many differentiating exterior characteristics. Further customisation is achieved by the numerous options that are offered, including the new LED headlights, which give the Gran Turismo a very special appearance.
The Panamera models are further upgraded by new standard features such as bi-xenon headlights, multifunction steering wheel and an automatic boot lid. In addition, an extended line-up of assistance systems is available for safety and convenience. The optimised adaptive cruise control system, for example, now actively intervenes in the braking process in hazardous situations. Camera-based traffic sign detection and lane departure warning offer greater convenience in cross-country and motorway travel.
The new generation of Panamera models will be launched on the market in July 2013. Prices start at 81,849 euros for the Panamera Diesel and 83,277 Euro for the Panamera. The Panamera 4 is priced at 88,513 euros, the Panamera S at 101,841 euros and the Panamera 4S at 107,196 euros. The Panamera S E-Hybrid costs 110,409 euros, which is followed by the Panamera GTS at 121,595 euros and the Panamera 4S Executive at 132,662 euros. The top models are the Panamera Turbo for 145,990 euros and the Panamera Turbo Executive for 163,364 euros. The cited prices are valid for Germany, including VAT and market-specific features.
At the beginning of next year, a new diesel engine with 300 hp (220 kW) will replace the current diesel, offering even more driving fun with typical diesel efficiency. Also arriving on the market in 2014 are the new Porsche Panamera Turbo S and Panamera Turbo S Executive. They represent the exclusive and sporty pinnacle of the model range.
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Text and photographs by: Porsche.
