While we’ve seen Porsche’s all-new Panamera replacement before, this is our first look at the plug-in hybrid version photographed while undergoing hot weather testing in Southern Europe.
How do we know that it’s the S E-Hybrid model? You could say because of the twin fuel caps, but we’ve seen those before on Panamera prototypes, so that’s not it. The only telling sign is actually a…sign in the form of a very small yellow sticker on the top right hand corner of the windshield that reads “Hybrid”.
The new model should use a similar setup to the current S E-Hybrid with a parallel system pairing an electric motor that draws energy from a lithium-ion battery to a V6 gasoline unit – improved, of course. There have been reports from Germany saying that Porsche is also considering a second plug-in version with a diesel-fed V6, aimed primarily at the European market.
There will also be a new family of turbocharged V6 and V8 petrols as well as V6 diesels offered with a new generation of PDK dual-clutch transmissions. These fresh powertrains will sit on a new and lighter modular rear-drive and all-wheel-drive platform dubbed MSB. And much like the latest 911 and Cayenne, the Panamera will undergo a diet to drop to under 1,900kg or 4,189 pounds.
It is understood that Porsche is mulling an expanded range for the Panamera with a coupe, convertible, and a shooting brake-style model similar to the 2012 Panamera Sport Turismo concept, in addition to the regular fastback version pictured here and which has a sleeker and crispier appearance than the current car.
The second-generation Panamera is scheduled for launch late next year, possibly as a 2017MY in North America.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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