How did the plug-in hybrid upgrade fit the Porsche Panamera? Here are the keys to understanding the new horizon of the Stuttgart firm.
In the automotive sector, there have been changes of great relevance in recent years. The rise of the electric car has become one of the main news, but the truth is that it is not the only technology that has reached the market. The best example of this is shown by the presence of plug-in hybrid options, a product with differential characteristics.
It is an alternative that draws attention, mainly, due to the provision of conventional mechanics that is supported by a battery pack. The key with respect to a traditional hybrid is its greater autonomy. Now, are all hybrids of this nature interesting options? Of course not. So much so that not all have the same configuration.
Porsche currently sells 3 plug-in hybrid versions of the Panamera
from what moment can we say that we are facing a plug-in hybrid variant? How many kilometers should be covered without polluting emissions to be considered sustainable? This raises a question for us from a technical point of view. After all, this version can hoard privileges, such as paying a lower registration tax or access to free parking.
Let’s look at it from the point of view of Porsche, a manufacturer that is immersed in a transition towards electric and hybrid mechanics. Furthermore, we will use as an example the updated variant of the Panamera in its 3 alternatives; 4 E-Hybrid, 4S E-Hybrid, and Turbo S E-Hybrid. Could these plug-in hybrid models be considered for use?
Let’s see why the commercialization of these units can generate controversy, to what extent we are facing options that meet the necessary qualities to be classified as such, and, of course, what improvements have been introduced after the arrival of this update. Here are the keys to a new market niche that can be confusing for the user.
E-Hybrid, this is how the 3 plug-in hybrid versions have improved
Porsche has updated the Panamera in its 3 plug-in hybrid variants. It is a strategy that seeks, above all, to consolidate the electrical project within the Stuttgart company. For this, new batteries have been installed that aim to increase the autonomy of the vehicles when they circulate completely in electric mode.
The Porsche Panamera is marketed with several plug-in hybrid versions. As a result of the improvements introduced, it is striking to see how progress has been made in this regard. Technically, a battery with a capacity of 17.9 kWh has been incorporated instead of 14.1 kWh. How does this change affect the different versions? First of all, the 4 E-Hybrid variant allows driving up to 29 kilometers in electric mode.
The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid can circulate in electric mode for 27.4 kilometers
The all-wheel-drive version, curiously, manages to add the same distance traveled despite enjoying a somewhat higher weight. In the most performance option, a notable loss of mileage has been observed when driving without the heat engine running. You can drive up to a maximum of 27.4 theoretical kilometers, according to the EPA homologation cycle.
In the latter case, it is a fall of 5.5%, which is related, of course, to the practice of a more sporty movement. After these data, can we say that we are looking at a product classified as a plug-in hybrid? Not surprisingly, there may be some discrepancies depending on how the data is viewed. After all, there are other options that double these records.
Controversy when defining what a plug-in hybrid is
Following the recent Moves III Plan, approved by Royal Decree 266/2021, of April 13, only plug-in hybrids that meet the following requirements have access to aid for the purchase of cars, among others; Vehicles with a sale price (without VAT) up to € 45,000 and with autonomy in electric mode between 30 and 90 kilometers. Leaving the price aside, what problem is detected after analyzing the concessions of the Plan?
Porsche will be a benchmark in sustainable mobility thanks to models like the Taycan. Porsche
By very little, true, but it does not meet the autonomy requirement. Based on this name, a model with these characteristics would not be considered a plug-in hybrid for tax purposes. This would lead us directly to the following insight. Has Porsche created this variant to assure the customer of future access to urban centers?
We will have to wait a while to learn about the new restrictions in terms of urban mobility. This will make it possible to know if Porsche should incorporate even more autonomy in these versions or if, on the contrary, it is not feasible to continue producing the Panamera in its plug-in hybrid version.
After all, in the catalog, they have the Taycan, a saloon with great aspirations without polluting emissions.