The Porsche 918 Spyder, that hypercar,
might be the most notorious plug-in hybrid Porsche has ever built, but it wasn't the first one.
The first one was the previous generation Panamera, as the E-Hybrid.
Considering they're working on the Mission E, a fully electrical sports car,
that has to be able to convince the criticasters.
If that's not the case, we've got this machine here.
Indeed. It's a Sport Turismo, Porsche's new wagon.
That isn't important today though, because we know that already.
Today it's about this; you can plug it in.
It's the Sport Turismo Turbo S E-Hybrid. But what makes this special relative to the previous plug-in?
Well, it's the Turbo S, and usually the Turbo S is the quickest model Porsche offers...
in their Panamera, their Cayenne and their 911.
So from now on, the Turbo S is a plug-in.
And to make clear they want to be a serious player in the game; normally, the Turbo has a small amount of horsepower more than the normal car.
Maybe twenty, or 30 horsepower more. In this case the new Panamera Turbo produces 550 horsepower,
but the Turbo S E-Hybrid produces 680 horsepower. So is it quick?
Oh yeah.
So, how does this hybrid work?
Well, the twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 from the Panamera Turbo is still here, just like the 8-speed PDK-gearbox.
But now, there's a electric motor inbetween them.
It can support the V8 with extra power, or you can drive the car fully electrical.
Don't be fooled though, because fully electric it can do 0-100 in seven seconds.
Also, it'll flat out at 140 km/h. So it's not only parking or city driving when you're driving fully electric,
you can go at decent speeds. You won't go for very long distances though,
a couple dozen of kilometres at best.
It just goes to show how big the battery pack is.
You can set it on fully electric, but you can also set it on hybrid.
That means it will decide for you what power output to use. Usually, that's the best.
Especially if you put your destination in the satnav, because it can tell if it has to save electrical power for the last part of the journey.
It can also tell if you're just driving on motorways, so it'll use the electrical power to support the combustion engine.
That way, you'll be driving at the highest level of efficiency.
You can also put it in Sport, or Sport Plus.
That gives you maximum power from the V8 and the electric motor, and when you release the throttle,
the V8 charges the battery packs.
That isn't efficient at all, but boy it's fun.
Because of the 680 horsepower, the car is incredibly quick.
It doesn't matter it's far beyond 2000 kg, that it's heavier because of the batteries.
It's the power that counts. That's why you can do 0-200 a full second quicker than the twelve seconds...
of the normal Panamera Turbo. 0-200 in under twelve seconds!
With a car like this, which is able to carry four people as well.
That's bizarre.
If we look at the Panamera as a total car, it's a lot more usable than it used to be.
It's now more comfortable, it's more accessible,
and this is the Sport Turismo, so it's a station wagon with lots of room inside,
especially with the seats folded down.
As a daily driver, it's incredibly usable.
In this case, it's also a plug-in, so you're driving eco-friendly.
You can drive it fully electric in the city. If you're working at a company which wants you to drive a car...
that it only can emit less than 100 g of CO2, or that it has to be classified as a A or B car.
You're safe with this car. You literally combine everything, so it's the best of both worlds.
I have to say though, you really notice the batteries in the back.
A Panamera already is quite heavy, but when you're driving this on the limit,
you notice the rear moves in a way the normal Panamera doesn't. That weight wasn't there before.
So saying 'you don't notice the extra weight' wouldn't be true.
On the other hand, the chassis can take a lot.
You'll be going really quick before it gets annoying.
What stands out mostly though, is the thing I started with.
The fact that the Turbo S will be a plug-in hybrid from now on,
and that it's got this much power relative to the normal Turbo.
But it's not just the Panamera. The new Porsche Cayenne,
which will be available as Turbo S as well, will also get this drivetrain; a plug-in.
So converting to electric vehicles is a very serious thing for Porsche. It's not like they say 'we're doing economical things', whilst still building sports cars.
It will become the flagship model of their line-up. I'm talking about the 918 Spyder, the Cayenne and the Panamera.
Then there's the 911. I don't think they'll be using it in the current generation,
but maybe the next generation. Maybe they'll wait for the facelift,
but that's going to be the future at a certain time.
These cars show us that we should prepare for that future, and that when it comes to speed and power,
we have nothing to worry about.