Following the international launch in the South of Germany, Wilhelm Lutjeharms got behind the wheel of the all-new G3 generation of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. Here is what he thought of it…
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Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Fast Facts
- Price: From R2 654 000
- Engine: 2.9-litre, twin-turbopetrol, six-cylinder + electric (140 kW/450 N.m)
- Transmission: 8-speed PDK (double-clutch transmission)
- Combined power: 346 kW (5 400 – 6 800 r/min)
- Combined torque: 650 N.m (1 000 – 5 000 r/min)
- Fuel consumption: 1.4 to 10.3/100 km (depending on charge of battery)
- Electric range: 96 km
- Electrical top speed: 140 km/h
- Top speed: 280 km/h
- 0-100 km/h: 4.1 seconds (with Sport Chrono Plus)
- Weight: 2 275 kg
What are we driving and why is it significant?
This is the third generation of Porsche’s 4-door sports sedan, the Panamera. Referred to as the G3-generation, it is offered from a base specification Panamera offering 260 kW up to the super-sedan Turbo E-Hybrid developing an impressive super-car rivalling 500 kW. The big news is the completely new Porsche Active Ride suspension system (see a full technical report in a future issue of CAR magazine) in the hybrid models, which is currently four out of the available six models.
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For buyers who don’t necessarily wants to drive an SUV, but also wants a more practical car than the 911 sports car, the Panamera has always offered a Porsche driving experience that few other sedans can replicate. As before, combined with hybrid technology it has become quite a tour de force.
What are the Panamera’s rivals?
Audi’s S7 and RS7 sedans are definitely rivals and so are Mercedes-AMG’s GT 4-door Coupé. All these cars offer a serious level of performance, especially the Mercedes-AMG. The Audi doesn’t come equipped with a hybrid system and will do with 331 kW/600 N.m in the S7 derivative and 463 kW/850 N.m in the RS7 model. However, the AMG offers a quite impressive 620 kW and a monumental 1 470 N.m!
What is the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid like to drive?
There are only a few places on earth that offer such good quality roads, with so many twists in turns such as the Black Forest in Germany’s south. At times you clench your teeth as another car (or truck!) approaches from the front as it feels like you are missing each other’s side mirrors by centimetres. Needless to say, in Germany, citizens know how to drive and they expect you to know how to drive as well – it makes the whole experience so much more impressive.
It is on these quiet roads that it is evident the Panamera is another hit by Porsche. Before we climb onboard an engineer explained to us the new Porsche Active Ride suspension system. In a nutshell, the hybrid system powers (apart from assisting in powering the car) four 5 kW pumps on each corner of the car that works in conjunction with the suspension system. If you go through a corner, the system will eliminate body roll, by putting pressure on the one side of the car, and forcing the other side to stay stable. That is the same for when you accelerate or brake.
Related: Review: Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid
Back on the road and obviously it is one of the first things I tried to test out. Keep in mind, that the outgoing Panamera was no boat, and had a typical firm but pliant ride. Still, body roll was very limited. This has now only been further improved. Through the tightest of corners, I try to catch it out, but even when you are fairly aggressive with the steering wheel, you can watch the corner of the bodywork stay still and feel that the Panamera is super stable.
The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid offers a combined output of 346 kW/650 N.m. Porsche claims a 0-100 km/h acceleration figure of 4.1 seconds and top speed is 280 km/h. If you think the hybrid system interferes and takes away a level of fun from the driving experience, it is the exact opposite. When you start the car, it defaults to the E-power mode. So, you will drive off in near silence. Twist the rotary dial on the steering wheel to hybrid, and the engine might or might not start, depending on the current driving parameters. Sport and Sport Plus options are next, and this is where the performance of the electric system is perfectly blended with that of the 2.9-litre, V6 turbocharged engine. With 224 kW/420 N.m from the engine and 140 kW/450 N.m from the electric motor, performance is impressive. With the all-wheel-drive system, you can also lean on the available grip and often you realise you could have pressed the throttle pedal earlier leaving a bend than you just did. It is truly an accomplished sedan.
Related: Porsche’s Panamera Goes Bulletproof in SA
The level of performance manifested itself further on the autobahn. You are never sure if you will get a clean run on a de-restricted stretch, but things fell in place for a few kilometres and the sign appeared next to the road and I quickly accelerated up to 200 km/h without what felt like any real effort from the Panamera. As expected, it felt very stable at these speeds.
What is new on the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid?
There is a pleasant soft rumble from the exhaust, but it did sound like it is also slightly artificial and send through the speakers. The view from the driver’s seat is pure Porsche with the clean, single-screen behind the steering wheel, and no less than two screens to your right (German is a left-hand drive country). The furthest one is for the passenger. As before, it is a very clean design and the layout is quite straightforward. The view in front of you is not unlike that of a 911, with the centre of the bonnet dipping down and only the front fenders being visible.
I also need to point out that the driving position is pure sports car. You sit low in the car and the controls are easily within reach while your legs are also stretched out in front of you – again, not unlike a 911.
Verdict
Taking all this new technology into consideration, it is nothing but a miracle that Porsche claims the new models are only between 5 and 10 kg heavier than the outgoing models.
The single most impressive aspect of this specific model was that I drove it after I spent two hours in the Turbo E-Hybrid. Although you can feel the lower level of engine performance, it was less than I expected.
The 4 E-Hybrid is a well-balanced car, in terms of suspension, but also in terms of performance, comfort and luxury. Porsche admitted it is likely that more models will be coming in the near future, possibly a GTS and even a more powerful unit to slot in above the Turbo E-Hybrid. That is all good and well, but having experienced the current top model and the 4 E-Hybrid, I can promise potential buyers that the latter is all the car you will need.
