Porsche launches Panamera S Hybrid and Turbo S
Local Porsche distributor, Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), has expanded the Panamera range in Malaysia to eight models, having launched the Panamera S Hybrid and Panamera Turbo S today. Also launched today, in the presence of 400 media and invited guests, were the Boxster Spyder and 911 GT3 RS 4.0.
Despite receiving mixed responses from critics, and many not too complimentary of its styling, the Panamera has proved to be a success story for Porsche, certainly as far as Malaysia is concerned. The two new variants join a family which has the Panamera, Panamera S, Panamera Diesel, Panamera 4, Panamera 4S, and Panamera Turbo.
SDAP CEO Mr Arnt Bayer said, “We are pleased to announce that the Panamera model is already well estab-lished and very popular in Malaysia, contributing to 22% of total sales with 101 sold Panamera since the launch in end of 2009 to date. We have already received many positive feedbacks on the Panamera and enquiries for the new Panamera well before its launch, and we are confident that sales for these two models will increase the total Panamera market share in Malaysia.”
You would imagine that someone ready to spend RM910,000 on a car might not be too bothered about an issue as petty as fuel consumption. Yet, in the Panamera S Hybrid, which costs that amount of money before registration and insurance, we are looking at the most fuel efficient Porsche ever, with consumption measured at 6.8 litres/100km when tested on the NEDC cycle. Meanwhile, CO2 emission is 159 g/km.
The combustion half of the Panamera S Hybrid’s powertrain is a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 making 333hp between 5,500 and 6,500rpm. Maximum torque of 440Nm is twisted out from 3,300 to 5,250rpm. When summoned, the electric motor contributes a further 47hp and 300Nm, both at 1,150rpm. Porsche claims combined output figures of 380hp @ 5,500rpm and 580Nm @ 1,000rpm.
Porsche calls its setup a parallel full hybrid system, being capable of operating in full electric for approximately 2km and at speeds of up to 85kph. It can also operate in the so-called sailing mode at speeds up to 165kph. When coasting, the combustion engine is disengaged and switched off, while the electric motor operates in generator mode. The engine is quickly restarted when the driver operates the throttle to summon acceleration.
Electricity for the motor is stored in a rear-mounted nickel metal hydride (NiMh) battery with a power content of 1.7kWh and voltage of 288V. It should be noted that such a high voltage makes servicing the Panamera S Hybrid highly hazardous and should only be attempted by personnel specially trained and certified by Porsche. Fitted with an 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission, the Panamera S Hybrid completes the century sprint in six seconds flat en route to its 270kph top speed.
Higher up the spectrum, we have the Panamera Turbo S, which can be yours for RM1,360,000 before insurance. Compared to the RM1.2 million Panamera Turbo, the Turbo S buyer gets an extra 50hp and 100Nm to play with, and the result is 0.2 seconds off the century sprint and an extra three clicks of top speed with no reported increase in fuel consumption.
Sitting in the engine room is the Turbo’s 4,806cc V8 tweaked to deliver 550hp @ 6,000rpm and 750Nm @ 2,250 – 4,500rpm. An overboost facility is available to ramp it up to 800Nm @ 2,500 – 4,000 when summoned. Paired to Porsche’s 7-speed PDK transmission, the Panamera Turbo S hits 100kph faster than you can count to four (3.8 seconds, to be precise), and runs out of ideas way after most would run out of courage (at 306kph).
To keep its colossal power in check, the Turbo S is armed with a number of driver aids such Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus). It is also fitted with the Sport Chrono Package Turbo as standard which features driving modes such as ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport Plus’ in addition to ‘Launch Control’ for the most rapid take-off possible.
While the two new Panamera variants are long-term offerings under SDAP’s stable, the other two models introduced today are available only in limited numbers. There is only one unit of the Boxster Spyder, it’s yours for RM626,349. As we publish this, the unit has yet to be sold. Meanwhile, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0, a farewell edition to the 997-series, arrived in a shipment of five, all of which are sold out.
