After driving the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, we have finally realized where this fast and ultra-efficient plug-in fits in the Panamera lineup. It might not have the extra roominess of the Executive long-wheelbase Turbo and Turbo S, but the secret sauce of the E-Hybrid is its total smoothness and relaxing driving mood.
This is in contrast to the drive mood of even the base V6 Panamera. All other Panamera models are designed to thrill, and they are mechanical, heavy-feeling and serious.
The PDK seven-speed automatic is swapped in the S E-Hybrid for an eight-speed automatic. This torque-converter unit totally changes the character of the car — into a really sweet and smooth cruiser, to be honest. Yes, the Panamera S E-Hybrid can seriously haul ass still. Its 333-horsepower supercharged V6 will roar to life when you need it, and deliver a 5.2-second sprint to 60-mph.
But this type of driving is something you push on the Panamera S E-Hybrid. All other Panamera’s are constantly goading you to hit the throttle harder, hug the apex closer, and pass your personal fastest-ever speeds with ease.
If you plug in the Panamera S E-Hybrid overnight, you are good for 50 miles of EV driving per charge. This is not EV driving in the sense of a Prius plug-in, where the engine kicks in at anything over 20-mph and at any hint of throttle tip-in.
The Panamera S E-Hybrid actually has some decent electric power. It will easily stay with traffic in EV mode.
The battery pack in back takes the spot of the subwoofer in normal Panamera’s, and leads the chassis in feeling a bit less nose-heavy than the Panamera V8 or Turbo models. The air suspension feels more comfort-oriented than ever before, and the ride and mechanical smoothness is more Lexus-like than any Porsche to date.
So there you have it. The Panamera S E-Hybrid will handle fast drives, but it does not crave them. Overall, this Panamera is the comfiest, quietest and softest cruiser in the range.
Perhaps the next entry in the broad Panamera lineup should be an E-Hybrid Executive with the long-wheelbase?!
Check out all the paint colors, wheel styles and leather interior choices below for the Panamera S E-Hybrid, which is priced from $97,000 for 2015.
2015 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
Technical Specs
Panamera S E-Hybrid
Engine |
Tiptronic S |
|---|---|
| Engine layout | Front Engine / Rear wheel drive |
| Cylinder layout / number of cylinders | V engine / 6 |
| Displacement | 3.0 Liters |
| Horsepower | Combustion Engine: 333 hp Electric Motor: 95 hp Total Output: 416 hp |
| @ rpm | 5500 rpm |
| Torque | Combustion Engine: 325 lb.-ft. Electric Motor: 229 lb.-ft. Combined: 435 lb.-ft. |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 : 1 |
Performance |
Tiptronic S |
|---|---|
| Top Track Speed | 167 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | 5.2 s |
Price |
Tiptronic S |
|---|---|
| MSRP $ 96,100.00 |
COLORS
WHEELS
INTERIORS
Build you own Panamera S E-Hybrid over at Porsche.com.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.