Porsche Panamera refreshed; new PHEVs set to raise performance bar

Porsche has updated its Panamera executive express and given a tantalising taste of an electric boost to the range and performance of the popular plug-in hybrid models.

Key to the Panamera updates are new colours, redesigned grilles, new wheels and new tail lights joined by a distinctive strip; the basic Panamera shape is unchanged, with the same basic hunched hatchback for the regular Panamera and the purposeful wagonette rump of the Panamera Sport Turismo.

The range has also expanded, with more models and the long wheelbase Executive variant that provides 150mm more rear legroom and was previously reserved for key overseas markets such as China.

New model signals hybrid expansion

But it’s the addition of a new model variant – the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid – that is among the big changes beneath the skin of the new Panamera that arrives here in December.

Whereas V6- and V8-powered ICE Panameras continue, Porsche has added the 4S E-Hybrid in the middle of the lineup, priced from $292,300 plus on-road costs (other Panameras are priced from $199,500 through to $409,500 for the Turbo S).

The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid teams a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a 100kW electric motor driving through an eight-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission.

The V6 engine makes 243kW and 450Nm, contributing to a combined output of 412kW and a hefty 750Nm.

The dash to 100km/h takes 3.7 seconds, helped in part by a launch control system that can hold high revs and release the computer controlled clutch almost instantly.

The 100kW electric motor is the same one used in other Porsche hybrids (including the outgoing Panamera) but is powered by a larger capacity battery, now holding 17.9kWh (up from 14.1kWh).

Porsche says that increases the electric-only range to 54km when measured to the WLTP standard, about 30 percent more than hybrid models travelled previously.

As before, lurid green highlights for badges, interior lighting and brake calipers will distinguish the hybrid from regular Panameras.

In Australia the Panamera hybrids account for about 25 percent of sales.

Porsche Australia head of public relations Chris Jordan says the split personality of the hybrids is what appeals to owners, many of which have other Porsches in the garage.

“It’s because of what hybrids represent to us – it is efficiency and performance,” he says. “You can run as close to a pure EV Monday to Friday and then it can be quite a serious performance car on the weekend.”

But it’s what Porsche hasn’t announced yet that is arguably more interesting in terms of its hybrid strategy for its Panamera, something that could also flow through to the Cayenne that shares plenty of Panamera mechanicals.

Given the push towards hybrid tech in Europe – one of the biggest markets for the Panamera – there are clearly more plug-in hybrids on the way for the Panamera.

So it’s a solid bet that there will be a more affordable Panamera hybrid – possibly a non-S model, so likely to be called the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid – and a flagship partial electric model called the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

500kW-plus for Hybrid flagship

The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid would get a V6 hybrid system while the Turbo S E-Hybrid would likely continue to team the 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 with the same 100kW electric motor.

Expect the entry-level hybrid to be priced from something like $240,000 in line with a repositioning of the Panamera range that has seen prices reduced by as much as 15 percent.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid would be closer to $450,000 but would unleash a new level of Panamera performance.

Given the power output jumps across the Panamera range – including the addition of a 463kW/820Nm Turbo S model (non-hybrid) – it’s reasonable to assume the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid will produce more than the 500kW/850Nm of the outgoing model.

Even with the expanded range, the Panamera is still expected to be the most exclusive Porsche model range sold in Australia.

And Jordan believes that will continue even with the imminent arrival of the Taycan, which suggest Porsche is anticipating at least 100 Taycan sales annually.