Electrifying performance

The new Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid with plug-in technology is as powerful as a V8 model.self storage By Samuel EeIT is safe to say that the Porsche Panamera is acknowledged to have a very sporty character. This big, four-door limousine can seat four passengers but is still able to perform close to the level of a smaller Porsche model.So when the German carmaker launched its Panamera S E-Hybrid model last month, all it wanted to talk about was its fuel efficiency. According to Porsche, everyone already knows this is a performance hybrid but few are aware of its eco credentials.The E-Hybrid is the latest version of the Panamera petrol-electric hybrid that was unveiled two-and-a-half years ago. What is new is that this parallel full hybrid now has plug-in technology.A household socket can be used to charge the new lithium-ion battery, which replaces the previous nickel metal hydride version. The more powerful lithium-ion battery can power the E-Hybrid in pure electric mode for 36 km at up to 135 kmh. By comparison, the maximum distance for the old battery was just two km.As with a conventional hybrid, the Panamera recovers energy during braking and stores it as electricity in the high-voltage battery. But the E-Hybrid also has a new E-Charge mode to generate more juice.When the E-Charge button on the lower centre console is pressed, the battery is charged during the drive with the electric motor acting as a generator. The petrol engine is being harnessed for this purpose in order to maximise the recharging process of the battery.The new electric motor of the E-Hybrid is also twice as powerful, with 95 hp versus the previous 47 hp. The three-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine remains the same with 333 hp and when both work in combination, the total system output is 416 hp. This, P迷你倉rsche says, makes the E-Hybrid as powerful as a Panamera with a V8 engine.With maximum torque from the electric motor available immediately, ie from zero rpm, the E-Hybrid feels extremely responsive. Floor the accelerator and the electric Panamera springs forward.But feather the throttle and the almost 2,100 kg hybrid can be very frugal. Its stated consumption is 3.1 litres per 100 km under the combined cycle, or an amazing 32.3 km per litre.The new E-Hybrid is one of 10 variants that are being made available with the revised Panamera. Cosmetically, the makeover has given the car a lower and wider stance with re-styled front and rear ends.At the back, the boot lid is new with a wider rear windscreen and the licence plate now sits lower below the bumper line.As for dynamic updates, the suspension has been modified, with oil flow changes to the adaptive dampers for a softer, more comfortable ride, as well as bigger chassis mounts for better comfort and strength.The steering box mounts also provide more direct response in the mid-range, while braking performance was enhanced by tuning the PSM Porsche Stability Management and using newly developed tyres.So when Porsche says that the Panamera S E-Hybrid is the perfect combination of efficiency and sportiness, it is difficult to dispute the claim.samuelee@sph.com.sgSPECSPorsche Panamera S E-HybridPetrol engine 2,995cc V6 superchargedTransmission 8-speed autoMax power 333 hp @ 5,500-6,500 rpmMax torque 440 Nm @ 3,000-5,250 rpmElectric motorPower 95 hp @ 2,200-2,600 rpmTorque 310 Nm @ 0-1,700 rpmTotal system output 416 hp @ 5,500 rpmMax torque 590 Nm @ 1,250-4,000 rpm0-100 kmh 5.5 secs0-200 kmh 19.0 secsTop speed 270 kmhCO2 emissions 71 g/kmAverage OMV $150,000Price $508,088 (with COE)Distributor Stuttgart AutoTel 6474-0911文件倉