Geneva show: Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid plugs-in

PORSCHE’S second-generation Panamera range-topper has been revealed in the form of the Turbo S E-Hybrid, pairing a 4.0-litre V8 combustion engine with an electric motor for a combined output of 500kW/850Nm.

Set for a Geneva motor show public debut next month, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid will land in Australian showrooms in the third quarter of 2017 wearing a $460,100 before on-roads pricetag, and also features all-wheel drive and air suspension.

A step above the 340kW/700Nm Panamera 4 E-Hybrid – which uses a 2.9-litre V6 engine and electric motor – the Turbo S E-Hybrid employs a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine developing 404kW and a 100kW rechargeable motor for a dyno-busting total output of 500kW and 850Nm.

Power in the new flagship Panamera is sent to all-four corners through Porsche’ s PDK eight-speed automatic transmission, enabling a zero to 100km/h sprint time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 310km/h.

In comparison, the Aston Martin Rapide makes do with 441kW/630Nm from an atmo V12, while Audi’s RS7 develops 445kW/750Nm and Mercedes-AMG S63 produces 430kW/900Nm all from twin-turbo V8s.

Not only will the Porsche outgun all of its petrol-combustion luxury limo rivals in the landmark 0-100km/h acceleration time, with the Aston, Audi and Merc stopping the clock at 4.9, 3.7 and 4.0s respectively, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is also up to $200,000 more expensive.

Tesla’s all-electric Model S P90D luxury sedan though, tops the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid’s output with 515kW/967Nm and is faster to 100km/h at 3.0s.

As expected, the flagship hybrid Porsche also trumps its competitors – excluding the all-electric Tesla – in fuel economy figures, sipping just 2.9 litres per 100km and consuming 16.2kWh/100km of electricity, while emitting 214 grams per kilometre of CO2.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid can travel up to 50 kilometres emissions free, and recharge times of the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery will vary from six hours with a standard voltage connection to 2.4 hours with a quick-charge compatible outlet.

The car’s charging can also be activated or deactivated remotely via the Porsche Communication Management and Porsche Connect smartphone application.

To keep customers happy, Porsche has also installed an auxiliary air-conditioning unit to heat and cool occupants even while the car is recharging.

The drivetrain is designed to start on pure electric power, and will switch to a Hybrid Auto mode once the accelerator pedal is depressed past a predetermined point or when battery levels drop too low.

As standard, air suspension is installed at both axles which offers “the comfort of a luxury saloon paired with sportscar-level performance values”, according to Porsche, as well as ceramic composite brakes, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport including torque vectoring, adaptive aerodynamics and 21-inch 911 Turbo Design alloy wheels.