Porsche's luxurious hatchback sedan continues to embody the company's traditional traits of fantastic driving performance, civility and usability, and exceptional quality. It just does so with four doors -- and, now, an advanced plug-in hybrid driveline that mixes pure speed with high efficiency.
What's New for 2016
The Panamera S E-Hybrid makes its futuristic way into 2016 unchanged.
Choosing Your Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
In marked contrast to standard Porsche practice and the rest of the Panamera lineup, there is only one version of the Panamera S E-Hybrid -- no GTS, no all-wheel-drive, no long-wheelbase Executive model.
The Panamera S E-Hybrid offers one of the more complex drivetrains in the modern market. A 3-liter V6 wears a mechanically-driven supercharger instead of Porsche's traditional turbochargers and is matched with an electric motor. Working together the two powerplants produce 416 horsepower. The transmission is an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic which sends all power to the rear wheels.
The EPA's mixed-mode calculations give the Panamera S E-Hybrid an MPGe rating of 50 miles per gallon, and the Panamera S E-Hybrid can cover about 20 miles on battery power alone. Add the gas motor and a heavy right foot and Porsche claims the Panamera S E-Hybrid will charge (no pun intended) to 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds and top out at 167 miles per hour if road conditions and lack of speed limits permit. When not chasing small airplanes the Panamera S E-Hybrid's gas motor can also recharge the battery pack while on the move.
Complex power system aside, the Panamera S E-Hybrid is a Panamera, which is a very good thing indeed. It is every bit as luxurious and solid as its rivals, but quicker and lighter on its feet. The interior is both lavish and thoroughly considered for sensible operation. The standard equipment list is extensive and includes navigation and satellite radio, and the number of available options defies easy count. A prospective Panamera S E-Hybrid buyer will want to spend significant time poring over the pages of available features and weighing needs, wishes, and the bottom line before placing an order.
Resist the allure of most of the kilometer-long options list, stick to the essentials (the Premium Package with its rearview camera is a must-have, and the auxiliary electric air conditioning is the perfect supplement to the battery-drive capability), and you will have one of the most intelligent, capable, and charismatic cars on the road at a fair price.