An absolute world class example of a modern day Grand Tourer with a little green badge saying "I'm environmentally friendly".
Sharing it's DNA with Porsche's stupendous 918 hyper car, is it time to get very excited for this new four door, plug in V8 Hybrid.
At first glance, an understated albeit sporty looking work horse which would fit in particularly well in a Waitrose carpark in Cobham. However, get yourself ready for a surprise.
Firs things first, Porsches attention to detail never fails to impress. The usual emblem is embossed into the headrest, so the words Turbo S tickle the back of your neck. The steering wheel is straight out of it's big cousin, the 918, with the same circular dial to select your driving mode. On this particular model, someone tastefully splattered acid green paint to subtle parts of the car to show the world you've got some interest in slowing global warming. Finally, a stunning touch sensitive console with more buttons and controls than a Boeing 747. So, what's it like to drive?
A combined 680bhp from a 4.0l turbocharged V8 which sits alongside a 136bhp electric motor powered by a 14kwh lithium-ion battery pack. 0-60mph takes 3.4 seconds and it'll get to 100mph in under 8. Carry on through it's seamless PDK gear box and you'll hit 200mph. Activate launch control and that process seems every quicker and makes you feel like a big kid at the same time.
That's about as impressive and exciting as the driving gets though. Weighing in around 2300kg, it's far from nimble. Throw it into a tight series of bends and it's struggles to hold on. It's much more at home on flowing A roads or sitting comfortably on a motorway trip.
The car has 4 driving modes. All controlled by that 918 inspired dial. Let's start with E power. What you'd expect, 100% electric, designed for a steady drive whilst emitting zero emissions. An approximate range of 25 miles and an output of 136bhp from it battery pack. You've got S and S+, take a guess which is which, but both take full advantage of the thundering V8 and quickly change the Panamera into a louder and more exciting place to be. Finally, H - Hybrid, which offers an intelligent combination of Sport and E power. The car will decide when it can make use of it's battery pack and when it's main power unit needs to kick in. Drive carefully in Hybrid mode, you'll be lucky to get 30mpg, some way off Porsche 's claim of 97mpg.
Inside trhe car it's full of gadgets. The dashboard is mostly controlled by scroll wheels on the steering wheel, allowing you to alter your view depending on whether g-force of energy flow is more important. The touch sensitive centre console and touch screen nav system comes packed with apps and controls. News, weather, flight information, local events and nearest charging points. That's justa few but the list is endless. Same may argue, a lot of it is pointless but spend £160k and it all becomes part of the experience.
So what Porsche have developed here is a very advanced, intelligent four door hybrid. With tech straight out of their hypercar, there's no denying it's a very impressive bit of kit. It beats the previous model by looks alone, but lets be honest that wasn't difficult. This 2nd generation looks purposeful and monumental amounts of road presence.
Whether you're at the stage yet or not, when you feel the need to own a car which will beat most cars away from the lights, allow to you drive emission free and feel comfortable all at the same time, get down to your local Porsche Centre (and don't forget to do the lottery the week before).
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