Porsche panamera 4 e-hybrid 2018
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid 2018
Model year 2018, 29,000 km driven
OVERALL RATING: 97 POINTS
Value for money: 96 points
Joy of ownership after 2 weeks: 98 points
Joy of ownership after 2 years: 94 points
Cost of ownership: 70 points
Sportiness: 94 points
Comfort: 89 points
Reliability as a used car: 95 points
Resale value: 95 points
Image value: 90 points
Sympathy points: 65 points
Manufacturing years: 2018 -
Engine: 2.9L V6 Twin-turbo + electric motor
Maximum power: 462hp 340kW
Maximum torque: 700 Nm
Acceleration 0-100km/h: 4.6 s
Top speed: 305 km/h
Price range: €120,000 - €185,000
Pros: Engine sound, engines, driving position, quality, versatility, drivability, cockpit, all-wheel drive, displays, appearance
Cons: Weight, tire noise
Alternative: ?
Summary: "We have too many cars in our yard," my wife has often stated amusedly. Besides the changing test cars, there's an electric car for school and shopping trips, a large family car for longer journeys, an all-wheel drive for the countryside winter, a sports car to boost my vanity, and an even sportier car to brighten up everyday life. My wife has also wondered whether there aren't one or even two cars that could replace all these. In my opinion, there hasn't been, but now there is. The new Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid meets all these needs and often does better than my individual cars mentioned.
Just over five years ago, Porsche introduced the original Panamera hybrid. This rear-wheel-drive car was powered by a "sandwich" powertrain combining a 3.0-liter V6, electric motor, and 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic, with a total system power of 416 horsepower. It achieved 0-100 km/h in under 6.0 seconds and could drive almost 30 kilometers on electric power alone.
Although many of the figures haven't changed significantly, the new Panamera E-Hybrid is a giant leap forward, especially in terms of feeling. It feels special, sounds special, and is especially fast and comfortable. On electricity, the new Panamera E-Hybrid travels about 50 km, which perfectly covers school commutes and other local errands. The Panamera's battery capacity is 14.1 kWh, and it can also be charged on the go with the gasoline engine. The electric motor's power is 136 horsepower, allowing speeds up to 140 km/h.
Unlike other "electric cars," a Porsche is always a sports car, regardless of its power source, even with electric power. The advantage of the E-Hybrid is that by pressing the accelerator deep enough or switching to Sport mode, the cockpit is filled with a formula-like roar from the twin-turbo V6 engine, creating an entirely different atmosphere compared to the silence of electric power.
With the help of the electric motor, the V6 engine, and all-wheel drive, the E-Hybrid accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, nearly a second faster than the Panamera 4. This is quite impressive considering the E-Hybrid weighs a massive 300 kg more than its non-electric sibling.
On the road, the Panamera E-Hybrid is fascinating. The car navigates winding roads with incredible precision and agility for its size. Given the complex dance between Porsche's numerous systems, you might think the car constantly battles with itself, but it doesn't. The systems are 100% synchronized and complement each other seamlessly. The Panamera's Sport exhaust system was particularly impressive, coming to life with a simple touch and roaring beastly even at low revs. The silence of the alternative electric operation in the Panamera further accentuates that soul-stroking growl.
The previous generation Panamera's appearance was almost universally criticized in automotive media. The current Panamera is quite different, resembling the highly praised new 911 model, as if its four-door sibling. Inside, it can be described in one word: fantastic—with a sharp and wide touchscreen with perfect instrumentation, a stylish glass console with haptic touch buttons, excellent seats and driving position, a large glass roof, and soft leather lining the entire cockpit. One particularly pleasant feature was the proximity sensor embedded in the touchscreen, bringing up side menus when a hand approached it.
Sound insulation is on par with the best luxury cars, though the 21-inch low-profile tires that come standard are quite noisy.
The Panamera E-Hybrid competes in price, power, and technology with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, and BMW 7-series. Having owned or driven all the mentioned cars extensively, I must disagree. The Panamera E-Hybrid is now in a class of its own, where competition practically doesn't exist. It offers everything the aforementioned luxury sedans do, plus a heap of sportiness, youthful spirit, intriguing ownership pride, and the diverse joys of driving.
In Finland, several used Panamera E-Hybrids are for sale, with prices starting at 120,000 euros. Practically all the units for sale are like new. The Panamera E-Hybrid is so desirable as a used car that it might take a few years before prices drop below 100,000 euros.
When you're ready to purchase a car in this price range, I would argue that it's hard to overlook the Panamera E-Hybrid—it offers so many "cars in one" with quality and features that purchasing them all separately would cost significantly more in money and garage space.
For the first time, I'm seriously considering moving to just one car...although, knowing me, my wife doesn't believe it yet.
Condition of the evaluated unit on a scale of 1-10:
Technology: 10+
Body: 10
Interior: 10
Value for money: 9
Service book: 10
Kilometers: 29,000 km
Explore available Porsche Panameras here.
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