Porsche outs Panamera plug-in hybrid and extended wheelbase versions

Porsche has announced that it is adding a couple new variants to its four-door Panamera sports car range. One of the new models being added to the line is the very first plug-in hybrid to ever be offered from Porsche. Porsche is also adding an extended wheelbase version of the car.

Certainly, the most interesting of the new Panamera models is the Panamera S E-Hybrid. While Porsche has offered a hybrid version of this car in the past, the S E-Hybrid is the first plug-in hybrid Porsche has offered. This version has a more powerful electric motor and a better performing battery supplying more energy that can be recharged from home or public vehicle charging stations. The electric drive system in off the vehicle produces 95 hp, which is more than twice the power produced by the previous hybrid electric motor.

That new electric motor is paired with a 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is significantly larger than the previous 1.7 kWh battery used in the hybrid Panamera previously. Porsche says that the vehicle can completely recharge its battery in 2.5 hours using a 240V power source. EPA fuel economy estimates for the new plug-hybrid are unavailable at this time and the vehicle will be able to operate on electric power alone.

Porsche estimates that the electric only driving range will be about 20 miles. The other new version of the Panamera is a long wheelbase model called the Executive. The Executive models have two full-sized rear bucket seats and the car will be available in naturally aspirated and Turbo models. Both models have a wheelbase that is extended by 5.9-inches providing more rear seat comfort.

The turbo version uses a 3.0-liter twin Turbo V-6 engine which replaces the previous 4.8-liter V8. However, the new turbo engine produces an additional 20 hp and 15 pound-foot of torque compared to the old V-8. The plug-in hybrid will start at $99,000 with the standard Executive model starting at $125,600 and the executive Turbo starting at $161,100.

[via Porsche]