Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid 2020 UK review
Опубликованно 23.09.2020 22:35
What is it?
The idea of buying yourself an imposing and highly capable Porsche four-door GT car for the thick end of ?100k, yet deliberately denying yourself the two most stirring twin-turbo V8 applications in favour of a more economical electrified model, might look an odd decision to those who imagine using private funds on the purchase.
Why have a ?101,690 Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, tested here, when for a mere ?5500 more you can have the simpler, lighter, sportier, better-sounding and more agile Panamera GTS V8? What's it like?
The answer to that question depends dramatically on what you’ve been driving beforehand. If you’ve been used to grumbling V8s that can rev as well, this V6-electric powertrain (whose noise takes over only when the silence of the electric drive runs out) sounds a bit thin.
From the outset, we believe the best approach to the E-Hybrid is to glory in the new capability of the 2021-spec Panamera’s PHEV powertrain rather than wishing it were something else. The unique combination of performance and economy is deeply impressive, even if the WLTP figures quoted for mpg and CO2 output still don’t tell the full ownership story.
Advertised as good for 34 miles of electric cruising before there’s any need to start the petrol engine, the Panamera PHEV showed on test that its real-world battery-only range can indeed beat 30 miles, an impressive performance for a big car whose kerb weight has been increased 300kg by the presence of an on-board 17.9kWh battery. The Panamera V6’s total performance is augmented by the presence of the associated 134bhp electric motor (mounted in the bowels of the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox), which especially assists at the low end of the performance range. As a result of the twin-powerplant set-up, this Panamera has no fewer than six driving modes, with the self-explanatory E-power, Hybrid Auto, E-hold and E-charge driver choices to go with the usual Sport and Sport-plus. Should I buy one?
Talking company cars, the tax saving makes the E-Hybrid choice a no-brainer, which is why so many Panamera buyers have already voted with their feet. For those few who are buying a car like this privately, there is also the appeal of the PHEV's comparative efficiency and the enjoyment of balancing the conventional and electric power sources. And with the V6 on song, this is still a stirring car to drive, even if not in the class of the twin-turbo V8s.
Residual value may be another factor in its favour. As we move closer to the proposed cut-off date for internal combustion engine sales, big V8s may come to be taxed more highly and also to be regarded as less respectable. That can be expected to hit values. It strikes us that buying this latest plug-in Panamera is a way of making a contribution and keeping value in your car while giving away relatively little in driving enjoyment or continent-covering ability.
Technical specs Model tested: Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Price: ?101,690 Engine: V6, 2894cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol, plus electric motor Transmission: 8-spd automatic, rear eLSD Model tested Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Price ?101,690 Engine V6, 2894cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol, plus electric motor View all specs and rivals Transmission 8-spd automatic, rear eLSD Power 552bhp (combined) 0-62mph 3.7sec Top speed 185mph Battery size 17.9kWh Fuel economy 94.2-128.4mpg CO2 51-64g/km Electric power 134bhp Electric range 34 miles BIK tax band 13-15% Rivals Mercedes-Benz S-Class S560e BMW 7 Series 745e Power 552bhp (combined) 0-62mph 3.7sec Top speed 185mph Battery size 17.9kWh Fuel economy 94.2-128.4mpg CO2 51-64g/km Electric power 134bhp Electric range 34 miles BIK tax band 13-15% Rivals Mercedes-Benz S-Class S560e BMW 7 Series 745e Advertisement Share review Are you as passionate about cars as we are? Get all the best car news, reviews and opinion direct to your inbox. Subscribe to the Autocar newsletter now. Haymarket Media Group, publishers of Autocar takes your privacy seriously. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism on any email you receive from us. We will use your information to ensure you receive messages that are relevant to you. To learn more about how we use the information you provide to us please see our Full Privacy Notice. Join the debate Comments 1
xxxx 78mpg, Statistics 23 September 2020
Did you remember to add the charging of the battery to that cost.
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