With the Panamera, we’ve already introduced a fairly radical idea into the cosy world of the saloon: you can drive a sportscar – and at the same time travel in comfort.

However, that wasn’t enough for us. The next logical, convincing step was the introduction to the luxury automotive class of a radical concept in hybrid technology: driving pleasure.

Or as we understand it, with sportscar dynamics – and astonishingly low fuel consumption and emissions. The next stage of Porsche Intelligent Performance.

How does this work? By constantly endeavouring to redefine our limits and set new standards. Thanks to our 60 years of motorsport experience, together with our engineering expertise, we are moving into the future of more efficient driving.

Performance with conviction. The new Panamera S Hybrid.

Design
As you can see, we didn’t experiment with the car’s design. We stuck with our philosophy that form should follow function. Nothing else would have made sense. Nothing else would have produced a four-seater Porsche.

But how can you tell whether it has the Porsche DNA? From the distinctive proportions and lines on all models. The wings are slightly higher than the bonnet and, at the rear, they are distinctly muscular and form the typical Porsche shoulder line. The silhouette of the Panamera models is therefore typically Porsche. It is dynamic without being overbearing, and exudes elegance rather than extravagance. In its class, the total length of less than five metres is to its advantage. The front, shoulders, and rear all have instantly recognisable Porsche traits. Particularly striking are the side air outlets behind the front wheels – paying homage to the Carrera GT. The result is a timeless exterior, a spacious interior and excellent aerodynamics: the Panamera S models have a drag coefficient of 0.29, the Panamera models and the Panamera Turbo 0.30.

A low, wide stance. A sleek roofline. The overall impression leaves you in no doubt that these are true sportscar proportions. Typically Porsche. And yet, when you get in, you’ll wonder how there can possibly be so much room. We’ll come to that on the pages that follow.

The wheels are of classic sportscar design: fine-spoked, lightweight, and stylish. Sizes range from 18 inches to an optional 20 inches, and all the wheels provide a good glimpse of the brake system. Just another example of sporty styling.

The most striking aspect of the rear is undoubtedly the spoiler which is integrated into the rear lid. From a speed of around 55 mph (90 km/h), it deploys automatically, as you may already have suspected. However, on the Panamera Turbo, it doesn’t stop there. The spoiler splits in the middle and extensions deploy to the left and right, making it considerably wider to further reduce lift at the rear axle. And from 127 mph (205 km/h), the spoiler on all models adjusts to increase its steepness to produce even more traction and, as a result, increased driving stability at high speeds.

So you see, whichever way you look at it, it looks like a Porsche. And, most importantly, it feels like one too.

Drive
Do you drive a powerful sportscar? Or do you prefer an efficient hybrid? It’s amazing how different the emotional and the rational can appear until they really come together – as in the parallel full hybrid from Porsche, for example.

The new Panamera S Hybrid has a 3.0-litre V6 compressor engine. The charge effect of the compressor gives a high torque of 440 Nm even at low speeds. Performance: 245 kW (333 hp).

These figures alone were reason enough to start. However, we have also added something for the future: the electric motor, which delivers its maximum output of 34 kW (47 hp) at 288 volts, providing high torque, especially in the lower rev range. It acts as the starter as well as a generator.

Together, the two units develop a maximum total system power output of 279 kW (380 hp). Maximum torque: 580 Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: just 6.0 seconds. Fuel consumption per 100 km is just 8.3 litres in the urban cycle, 6.4 litres in the extra urban cycle and 7.1 litres in the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 167 g/km combined. What does that mean for the hybrid? It currently has the lowest CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of any series-produced car from Porsche.

Safety
The new Panamera S Hybrid is fitted as standard with nine full-size and knee airbags for the driver and passenger, and the Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP). This comprises side airbags in the front seats, curtain airbags over the complete roof frame and side windows from the A to the C pillar, and side impact protection in the doors. Side airbags for the rear are available as an option.

The braking system of the Panamera S Hybrid is equipped with six-piston aluminium monobloc fixed calipers at the front and four-piston aluminium monobloc fixed calipers at the rear, with brake disc diameters of 360 mm and 330 mm, respectively. The discs are internally vented for rapid heat dispersal.

The manually activated electric parking brake releases automatically on pulling away. Using the hill-hold function you can pull away without rolling back on the flat or on an incline. Via PSM, even on a hill, the system automatically maintains the brake pressure on all four wheels for a brief period, and prevents the vehicle from rolling away in the opposite direction.

The standard Bi-Xenon headlights with headlight cleaning system and automatic dynamic range adjustment ensure uniform illumination of the road with both dipped and main beam. Also fitted as standard are LED daytime running lights.

The Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) is available as an option on the Panamera and Panamera 4, and is standard on all other Panamera models. Its dynamic cornering light function swivels the headlights towards the inside of a bend based on steering angle and driving speed and the static cornering lights activate the auxiliary headlights to illuminate more of the road at tight bends and turns. Put simply, when you enter a bend the road ahead is illuminated immediately. PDLS also adapts the light distribution to the speed and visibility conditions. The result is increased safety – not only at night and on bends.

Interior
What strikes you immediately – as well as the four seats – is the centre console rising to the front. This creates a short distance between the steering wheel and the gear selector.

The 4.8-inch TFT colour screen, integrated into the five instrument dials, gives information from the computer, the gear display, the hybrid display for the energy flow in each driving mode, the optional adaptive cruise control display or various warnings, e.g. for the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPM). The navigation map can also be displayed here on vehicles fitted with Porsche Communication Management (PCM).

The front seats with integrated headrests are fully electric with adjustable seat height, squab and backrest angle, and fore/aft position. Adaptive sports seats are optional. The front seats feature seat heating as standard, the rear seats as an option. On request, seat ventilation is available for the front seats or for all four seats (only in conjunction with seat heating).

The two rear seats have plenty of leg and head room, even for taller passengers. The backrests fold down individually in a 40:60 ratio for more storage capacity. The volume of the rear luggage compartment in the new Panamera S Hybrid is 337 litres, or 1,155 litres with the backrests folded down.

The standard partial leather interior is available in three colours. Optional interior finishes in leather and Alcantara and interior packages in various materials offer numerous possibilities for personalisation.

Environment
Over the last 15 years, Porsche has reduced the CO2 emissions of its vehicles by an average of 1.7 %* per year. In relation to engine power, Porsche is already among those vehicle manufacturers with the lowest CO2 emissions – thanks to efficient engine technology, lightweight construction, optimised aerodynamics and low rolling resistance.

Porsche proves that even high performance sportscars can achieve moderate consumption and emission values for their categories. The Panamera S Hybrid meets the requirements of the Euro 5 emissions standards in Europe and ULEV regulations in the USA.

How? By efficient use of fuel with technologies such as parallel full hybrid drive, Direct fuel injection (DFI) and recuperation, when the battery is charged mainly during the braking phases.

In addition, the body of the Panamera S Hybrid consists of around 23 % lightweight alloy. For example, the bonnet, doors, front wings and tailgate are made of aluminium which saves weight and fuel.

* The consumption reduction figures given are determined in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) for the vehicle model year concerned, in relation to the European legislation valid at the time.