The New Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid Is Less Powerful, More Expensive

When Porsche introduced the third-generation Panamera last November, it only showed the base model with rear- and all-wheel drive alongside the hot Turbo E-Hybrid. Zuffenhausen is now diversifying the lineup by launching two additional electrified models. These eschew the big V8 in favor of a V6 but keep the pair of turbochargers even though the "Turbo" name is not used.

The Panamera 4E Hybrid combines a 2.9-liter engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 463 hp and 479 lb-ft. Compared to its predecessor, the new model has gained eight mighty horses but has lost 37 lb-ft. Despite its heft, this is a seriously quick sedan (it's technically a hatchback) since it takes just 3.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, or 0.3s less than the model it's replacing. Flat out, it'll do an identical 174 mph.

The Panamera 4S E-Hybrid now has 536 hp and 553 lb-ft, which means Porsche has sacrificed 16 horses while carrying over the same amount of torque. It completes the sprint in 3.5 seconds as before, en route to 180 mph, down by 5 mph.

All electrified Panamera models share an upgraded battery pack with a capacity boosted by 45 percent to 25.9 kWh without increasing the physical size. The battery provides juice to a beefier e-motor mounted within the automatic transmission, rated at 187 hp and 331 lb-ft. Porsche isn't disclosing range details for the US-spec models for now. However, we know the European ones can travel on electric power for up to 96 kilometers (60 miles) in the case of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and 92 kilometers (57 miles) for the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid. These WLTP figures are likely to decrease for the EPA-certified range.

In the US, Porsche wants $115,500 for the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and $126,800 for the Panamera 4S E-Hybrid. The new models command a premium of $6,500 and $7,600, respectively. For your money's worth, an adaptive air suspension and matrix LED headlights are standard. To sweeten the pot, 14-way comfort seats, a heated steering wheel, soft-close doors, and lane change assist are included as well.

The order books will open in late March, and you'll pay an extra $1,995 for delivery and handling fees. The cars will hit dealers this fall.

As a final note, the next RS4 Avant (to be renamed RS5 Avant) is likely to get an adaptation of the same powertrain used by the newly added Panamera hybrid models. Audi Sport has already confirmed the performance wagon will be a plug-in hybrid. In addition, the Four Rings have ruled out four-cylinder RS models, so putting two and two together, an electrified 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 seems like an educated guess.