2018 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid: Meaner-But-Greener, Coming To US

Before its debut at the Paris motor show that is to be held later this month, Porsche has already shared some details of the 2018 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. It's a perfect model designed to draw in fans of green driving without compromising on power.

Drivetrain for the latest Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is 462 combined HP/ 516 lb-ft of torque, considerably stouter than that of its predecessor which rated at 416 HP/435 lb-ft of torque. It has the same 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 found in the new Panamera 4S along with a 136-HP electric motor.

Highly Efficient

The previous E-Hybrid required its accelerator to be at minimum 80 percent so as to engage the E-Boost, this new model however, takes a page from the 918 Spyder's playbook unleashing all the output as soon as the driver's foot touches the gas pedal. The result is an astounding 4.4-second sprint to 60 mph at a top speed of 172 mph.

Panamera 4 E-Hybrid can travel up to 31 miles on pure electric power and reach an EV speed of 86 mph. Fitted with a new 8-speed PDK double-clutch automatic, it also includes Porsche's next-gen hybrid module with a new electric clutch for fast response, reports kbb.com.

The Hybrid is also a dedicated "power meter" that monitors the real-time electric energy being used and the charge recovered through regen efforts. The standard equipment it has includes the Sport Chrono Package as well as hybrid-specific Hybrid Auto, E-Hold, E-Power and E-Charge settings to handle the less demanding driving.

E-Power Mode

The E-Hybrid has been designed to start in its electric-only, 'E-Power' mode. Though new Hybrid Auto mode does optimize the gas/electric mix to give an optimum overall efficiency, E-Hold/E-Charge setting precisely do as their names imply. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system as also been featured in the E-Hybrid with its tri-chamber air underpinnings so as to maximize a pure driving fun.

Being a plug-in hybrid, those who have a short commute to office will have an option of silently gliding there as the E-Hybrid can travel 31 miles on a fully charged battery. The charging time though is 12 hours but in case of a dedicated charging station it'll just take three hours.

The price for the 2018 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will be announced at its U.S. on-sale date. The performance-focused plug-in is however certain to cost somewhat above the 2017 Panamera 4S but considerably below the range-topping Panamera Turbo that kicks off at $147,950.