The journalists attending the launch of the 2012 Porsche Panamera Hybrid S were invited to participate in a challenging economy. Who has the best mileage would get a prize.
Porsche absorption in the Volkswagen empire would upset the purists, but the company has access to a wide swath of technology that could not hope for developing countries only have had. Therefore, these cars hybrid powertrain is shared with the VW Touareg and Cayenne S Hybrid and Hybrid uses a supercharged, direct-injection petrol pinch of the Audi S4.
The latter action provides up to 2995 cc and 333 hp. Add the electric motor and have a combined output of 375 hp at 5,500 rpm and 427 pounds-feet of torque available at just 1,000 rpm. By contrast, the 4.8-liter V8 in the Cayenne S old school knock out 400 hp and 369 Nm of torque.
This is a parallel hybrid electric motor that rolls between the engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. It also has a connection between the motor and the engine, gearbox so they autonomously. At speeds up to 103 km / h, the system analyzes the angle of the accelerator pedal and the engine is able to completely disconnect the car is coasting, cruising speed boosting efficiency. Electrical energy is stored in a nickel-metal hydride battery, mounted on the back to help a 51/49 split mass.
With a fully charged battery, Porsche says the Panamera could be increased to 1.24 miles on electricity alone. An E-Power button on the dashboard helps to optimize its electrical potential by remapping the throttle activation for the gasoline to discourage. It works to a point. In slow moving traffic, is virtually silent progress really attractive, but the files are really the extent of her talents. Once the road opens, you can call for internal combustion.
No less intriguing is the impact of an electric power output. The instantaneous slug of torque is enough to light up the rear tires and traction control into hyperdrive to send. This makes the Hybrid feel faster than the raw figures suggest. Porsche says zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 167 km / h, compared with 5.2 seconds/175 mph for the V8 and V6 6.0/160 for the Panamera.
Our test cars were equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport all-season tires measuring 225/45 front and 285/40 at the rear, with a diameter of 19 inches. They are speed limited to 149 mph, but offer less rolling resistance than more conventional rubber. Without a more traditional shod car in the comparison, it was difficult to determine how much grip they give away, but there is no doubt that they are considerably more noise and less aesthetic.
On the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) Hybrid achieves 34.6 mpg with a low rolling resistance tires or 33.2 mpg on the famous boots. This corresponds well with both V8 (22.4) and the V6 (25.3). If you’re a city dweller, there’s no denying the Hybrid offers significant fuel savings, even though it’s hard to imagine too many Panamera customers are concerned about the cost of gasoline.
Outside the city, but the case for the Hybrid is less convincing. Here, the V6 is the main instrument of propulsion and if you want to progress, then that hard work. The hybrid kit carries a significant weight penalty – the Panamera tips the scales at 4,365 pounds compared to 3968 for the V8. In the real world, which impacts both performance and economy. On a twisty section of our European test route, we saw consumption drop to the mid teens. Do not expect too close to the official average get if you drive as Ferry Porsche intended.
Everyone would like to proclaim their green credentials may indicate the hybrid badges on the trunk and front doors. The rest of the car, though, mimics the normal Panamera S, which may or may not be a good thing. Two years after its launch, 911 are stretched proportions remain the opinion of polarization. Inside, there’s a new E-Power Meter alongside the familiar instruments, and the onboard computer is food to some nice graphics to explain what the move. The rest of the cabin is well known, though, and the over-the-shoulder visibility remains poor as ever.
In Europe, the Panamera Hybrid S has little effect. The upcoming Panamera diesel will be more economical (37.4 mpg), nearly as quick (zero to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds), more sophisticated and $ 39K cheaper prices in the UK.
In the U.S. the situation is different. The diesel may eventually appear, but for now the Hybrid is the only choice if you want to pose as a bunny-loving, tree hugging Porsche owner. Stuttgart even insiders admit that the Hybrid will be purchased as a reward for her and for the badge engineering, but I think there are enough people who want such a statement. They expect about 10 percent of customers to the hybrid box to tick.
Those who do get a huge performance car to work on a curious agenda. Here is a Porsche who sacrifices his dynamic skills and aural pleasures in favor of fuel efficiency, which will really be felt by urban dwellers. The result is a car that always feels at war with itself.
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