Porsche Panamera: Evolutionary Start as Mild and Plug-in Hybrid

After seven years, Porsche unveils the third generation of the Panamera, which made its world premiere in Shanghai. Compared to its predecessor, it has once again grown, albeit by only a millimeter in length: it now measures 5,052 mm (Executive: 5,202 mm) in length, with the width remaining at 1,937 mm and the height at 1,423 mm (Executive: 1,428 mm). The Sport Turismo has been discontinued, and the long version will follow. The battery capacity is now 25.9 kWh. A new 11 kW onboard AC charger reduces the charging time at suitable charge points to two hours and 39 minutes.

No Benchmarks in Consumption and Electric Range

The consumption data for the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is already available: according to WLTP, it ranges from 1.7 – 1.2 l/100 km (WLTP); the weighted combined CO₂ emissions are 38 – 26 g/km (WLTP); the weighted combined electricity consumption is 29.9 – 27.5 kWh/100 km (WLTP); the electric range is stated to be between 76 and 91 km; in urban areas, it should achieve 83 to 93 km.

A Lot of Refinement on the Engines

And while the predecessor initially came with a diesel engine, the hybrid now dominates the range. All E-Hybrid variants offer more power, greater range, and most importantly, more efficiency. At market launch, alongside the base Panamera and Panamera 4, the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid will be available. The heart of its powertrain is a fundamentally revised four-liter V8 turbo engine. The power of the newly developed electric motor is 140 kW (190 PS). Together, the engines generate a system power of 500 kW (680 PS). The system torque reaches 930 Nm. Porsche integrates the electric motor into the housing of the fundamentally revised eight-speed double-clutch transmission PDK. Omitting a separate electric motor housing saves around five kilograms.

Integrating the aggregate into the gearbox's oil circuit also optimizes the thermal management of the electric drive and allows for a higher continuous power of the E-machine. Which makes it clear: Porsche is moving forward evolutionarily rather than revolutionarily here. The Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is said to accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 315 km/h.

Below that are the familiar V6 engines: The Panamera and Panamera 4 variants will also be available at market launch. Modifications to boost pressure, injection quantity, and ignition timing should optimize the power of the 2.9-liter V6 turbo engine. It now produces 260 kW (353 PS) and offers 500 Nm of torque – an increase of 17 kW (23 PS) and 50 Nm compared to the predecessor. This shortens the Panamera's sprint to 100 km/h to 5.1 seconds and raises the top speed to 272 km/h. The all-wheel-drive Panamera 4 now requires 4.8 seconds and reaches 270 km/h. Therefore, all Panameras are turbocharged, but only the strongest ones are called Turbo and now carry the monochrome designed emblem or a two-part deployable rear spoiler.

A Lot of Space Inside, Design Similar to Taycan and the Facelifted Cayenne

Some of our colleagues had the opportunity to sit in it and confirmed what the photos show: The interior has been completely redesigned and now resembles the Taycan and the facelifted Cayenne. With screens now dominating, the new model looks much more futuristic inside, but somehow a bit less premium. An optional passenger screen is also available here. Additionally, there are new decor and accents.

There is more than enough space at the front and in the rear, as in the predecessor – after all, it competes with the S-Class and the like, even with the standard wheelbase. The long version is especially important for China.
 

It Remains the Most Driver-Focused Luxury Sedan

The two-chamber air suspension with two-valve dampers is now supposed to offer a significantly broader range of characteristics, with the focus being on precise feedback to the driver "while maintaining a high level of comfort." Even the predecessor was known for its direct handling. The suspension can be lowered by up to three centimeters and raises itself by 5.5 centimeters when getting in. Does it work? We look again at our colleagues from the auto media portal, who confirm that even the standard air suspension (Adaptive Air Suspension) has improved its range "in all directions." But the Porsche Active Ride Suspension with single-chamber dampers is said to "significantly cover all damping situations more comprehensively." This means that, according to our colleagues, the Panamera "remains the most driver-oriented luxury sedan," which is something we already felt with the predecessor.

They were driving on a bumpy country road in the hinterland of Leipzig, where the Panamera will continue to be built. According to our colleagues, when following directly behind a predecessor model, you could clearly see how much the vertical movements were reduced. The dampers are supposed to respond and regulate so quickly that no anti-roll bar is needed.