Filed under: Hybrid, Porsche, Green Daily
Porsche confirms Panamera will be hybridized
While we've been expecting a hybrid Porsche Panamera for a while now, Porsche today made it official that such a vehicle will indeed be coming. The hybrid powertrain in the Panamera will be the same full parallel system as is in the Cayenne hybrid, which should reduce fuel consumption by 30 percent. And let's not forget that the Cayenne hybrid can go 75mph on battery power alone. The batteries in the Panamera will be below the luggage compartment. What's real nice is that, depending on driving style, either the gasoline or electric motors can propel the SUV alone; alternately both can work together for "fuel savings in both city and highway driving and maximum performance when desired." The Panamera will be unveiled in 2009, and the hybrid version will follow the gas-only model to the showrooms at a date yet to be specified.
[Source: Porsche via Autobog]
PRESS RELEASE
PORSCHE® RELEASES MORE DETAILS ON PANAMERA™
Ground breaking four-door GT to be offered with Porsche hybrid system-- ATLANTA, January 7th, 2008 - Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, announced today that it is developing a hybrid drive version of its highly anticipated four-door Gran Turismo. The Panamera Hybrid will utilize the same gas-electric drive concept as the Cayenne Hybrid that comes to market at the end of the decade and will claim a remarkable 30% reduction of fuel consumption. The full parallel hybrid system of the Panamera will be configured with the battery unit positioned below the luggage compartment, and hybrid module, comprising of an additional clutch and electric motor, will be between the engine and transmission. Depending on driving conditions, the hybrid module has the ability to disengage either the combustion engine or the electric motor, or to combine both drive systems as one joint power unit. This flexibility results in benefits such as a zero emissions driving mode, fuel savings in both city and highway driving and maximum performance when desired.
The Panamera, which represents Porsche's fourth model line, will make its world debut in 2009 and promises to redefine the Gran Turismo category by featuring a unique design package that will afford equally generous front and rear space and seating comfort for four while retaining the sporting and unmistakable driving dynamics of every Porsche. Introduced initially with traditional drivetrains, the hybrid version of the Panamera will be offered at a later date.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, GA, and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche sports cars and Cayenne sport utility vehicles for the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs approximately 250 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 212 U.S. and Canadian dealers. They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 5:24PM (1/07/2008)
"either the gasoline or electric motors can propel the SUV alone"
Isn't the Panamera going to be more of a sedan? Like a grand tourer type of car?
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Dan 5:24PM (1/07/2008)
Interesting that no mileage figures are cited. It's becoming increasingly clear that hybrid vehicles, short of the Prius and other similar lightweight cars, just don't offer much improvement in efficiency. And very few of them would even hit the 2020 CAFE standards for 35 MPG. I fear these types of hybrids only encourage more inefficiency by reassuring their owners that they really are "doing the right thing", but not actually improving overall efficiency.
-dan
http://www.solar4sf.org
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Joseph 5:28PM (1/07/2008)
Dan, Porsche didn't give mpg numbers because they're not done with the car yet. It hasn't even been to an auto-show yet.
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Dan 6:30PM (1/07/2008)
Joseph, good point. In light of all the other hybrids we've seen introduced lately, I think it's a pretty good bet the Panamera won't do much more than 25 MPG. I'm sure that's an improvement over the non-hybrid model, but still nowhere near good enough.
-dan
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GoodCheer 9:50AM (1/08/2008)
Dan and Joseph: Don't forget that CAFE is calculated based on the 1975 EPA driving cycle, in which "35mpg" will be rated at roughly 26mpg in the new 2008 driving cycle.
Not that Porsche is not in trouble (though I suppose they can afford guzzler fines)... just not as much trouble as the brave legislators who stood up for the people would have you believe.
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eddy 5:57PM (1/12/2008)
An article in the FAZ (newspaper from Frankfurt) says that the Nürburgring prototype of this car needs 9,8 liter per 100 km (about 25 mpg). and it is still one of the most powerfull prototypes porsche did ever build. That car is as long as an mercedes s-class and as fast and dynamik as the Carrera. Porsches goal for the production version for 2011 is 8,4 liter per 100 km (about 28 mpg). So this seems to be a very efficient hybrid (by the invenbtors of the hybrid car).
The only problem is the parallel hyrbid concept. A series-hybrid concept like the one the original 1902 Lohner-Porsche Mixte had can be much more fuel-efficient than any other hybrid concept, because it can work without the friction looses in many mechanical parts which other hybrid cars still have. But Porsche doesn't use the concept they invented and chooses just the second in matters of efficiency an leaves their brilliant old ideas for cars like GM Volt or the Volvo C30 Recharge.
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