Introducing the 2018 Porsche Panamera
It’s around this time of the year, prior to the highly anticipated Geneva Motor Show, that car buyers with an eye on luxury cars find their pulses racing. This year Porsche are expected to debut their new Panamera Turbo and there is an understandable buzz surrounding it right now. The 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid appears to be once again upping the ante in the world of hybrid technology. The pace of progress in hybrid super-cars has been pretty outstanding in recent years, yet Porsche’s new offering could set another new benchmark.
Building on the success of previous Panamera E-Hybrid models the 2018 model now packs a fierce new and smaller 4 litre V8 engine with a 136 hp electric motor that churns out an impressive 680 hp (up from the 2016 model’s 416 hp) and 626 pound-feet of torque. This is a more powerful, lighter engine than previous models and due to some design tweeking is considerably more efficient.
The Porsche developed ZF 8DB Eight Speed PDK transmission is now standard on all Panamera models, replacing the previous seven speed version with an improved gear ratio spread and a taller top gear. Power loss has been reduced by over a quarter due to reduced friction provided by the improved lubrication system creating what will be noticeably improved performance.
The 14.1kw thirteen prismatic lithium-ion battery cells on two levels with it’s own dedicated cooling circuit allows the Panamera to travel roughly 31 miles on electricity alone with a low end torque capable of propelling it to 96mph in roughly 3.2 seconds. If you were to keep your foot down you could expect to reach a top speed of over 305kmph.
The specifications beneath the hood do indeed suggest that the new Panamera is something quite special, even in the fast-paced world of luxury hybrid cars. Inside the vehicle is equally impressive with a 12.3 inch touchscreen incorporating the Porsche Communication System, air suspension, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and a composite ceramic breaking system.
Visually however, very little has changed as the improvements to the new 2018 Panamera are predominantly technologically geared towards increased power and superior efficiency. Porsche continue to punch above their weight and many people expect the 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid to be a success and help further propel the evolution of luxury hybrid cars.
