• HOME
• 
• AUTO LISTINGS
• 
• FINANCE
• 
• NEWS
• 
• DIRECTORY
• 
• REVIEWS
• 
• FORUM
• 
• BLOG
• 

Porsche Announces Hybrid Power for Panamera Sedan

Porsche's first production sedan is going to be a big deal. The front-engine,

The Panamera hasn't even been released, but Porsche is confirming a hybrid model. (Photo: Porsche)

four-door four-seater is key to Porsche expanding beyond its current offerings of sports cars and a lone sport utility vehicle. When it arrives on sale, it will be competing against a broad spectrum of luxury and performance vehicles, ranging from the sleek, E-Class-based Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and Jaguar XF, to more exclusive targets like the Aston Martin Rapide and Bentley Continental Flying Spur. And while speed, performance, driving dynamics and comfort will all be factored into the Panamera's design, there is one element that Porsche will be ahead of versus its rivals – environmental friendliness.

The Panamera might not be fully revealed to the buying public, but Porsche is confirming that its sedan will be available as a hybrid. Spreading out its development costs for the hybrid system in the Cayenne sport utility vehicle, Porsche will be applying the same hybrid drivetrain system to the

It'll use the Cayenne Hybrid's powertrain... (Photo: Porsche)

Panamera. The electric motor and an extra clutch set for the Panamera Hybrid will be fitted between the engine and the transmission, a similar physical layout as with Honda's Integrated Motor Assist for its now defunct Insight and Accord, plus its more popular and still available Civic Hybrids. To keep its cargo area as large as possible, the battery pack will be mounted below the trunk in a covered compartment. Though the gasoline engine has yet to be confirmed, it's highly probable that the hybrid sedan will use the same narrow-angle, gasoline direct injected V6 as the Cayenne Hybrid and Audi Q7 Hybrid, providing strong power and good fuel economy all on its own.

Porsche promises that the Hybrid version of the Panamera will

And its battery pack too. (Photo: Porsche)

provide the performance expected by Porsche buyers, minus the high fuel bills. Compared to the conventionally powered, non-Hybrid Panamera, Porsche claims 30-percent better fuel economy. In addition, the Panamera Hybrid will be a full hybrid, capable of running on its gas engine, solely via its electric motor, or a combination of the two.

Some may wonder why Porsche is opting to offer the Panamera as a hybrid vehicle. The reason for this is that having a hybrid option will be vital to the Panamera's success in competing with some of its lower-end rivals, many of which feature turbodiesel power. Besides being cheaper to run, its hybrid powertrain will likely allow it to qualify for tax rebates, not to mention it'll bear the title as the world's sportiest hybrid vehicle!

Although it's being announced ahead of time, the hybrid won't be on the road until after the initial production run of standard gasoline-powered cars are out. That means buyers will have to wait until at least 2010 before getting their hands on one.

Page:  1

AUTOMOBILE REVIEWS BY MAKE

Acura  Audi   Bentley   BMW   Buick   Cadillac   Chevrolet   Chrysler   Daewoo   Dodge   Eagle   Ferrari   Ford   Geo   GMC   Honda   Hummer   Hyundai   Infiniti   Isuzu   Jaguar   Jeep   Kia   Lamborghini   Lexus   Lincoln   Lotus   Maserati   Mazda   Mercedes-Benz   Mercury   MINI   Mitsubishi   Nissan   Oldsmobile   Plymouth   Pontiac   Porsche   Saab   Saturn   Scion   Subaru   Suzuki   Toyota   Volkswagen   Volvo