As expected the hybrid model Porsche is going to unveil at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show is based on the Panamera. The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid joins the Cayenne Hybrid in the firm’s green lineup using the same powertrain.

The four door Gran Turismo gets a supercharged three-litre V6 with 333 hp (245kW) plus a 47 hp (34 kW) electric motor. Both power units are capable of powering the Panamera S Hybrid either alone or in combination with a total output of 380 hp. It goes from 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds and onto 168mph top speed.

So it offers the same power as a V8 engine, and it’s faster than the Cayenne hybrid, while returning 30.2 mpg (7.1 liter/100km) and 159 g/km of Co2.

The range in purely electric mode is approximately 1.25 miles, with driving in this mode possible up to 53 mph, depending on the road and traffic conditions. The Porsche hybrid drive is also the only system in the world able to exploit additional consumption reserves thanks to its so-called ‘sailing’ function. During phases when no power is required from the combustion engine, ‘sailing’ entails switching off the engine and disengaging the drivetrain at speeds of up to 103 mph (Cayenne S Hybrid 97 mph).

Porsche Panamera Hybrid also comes loaded with features such as adaptive air suspension as standard, plus the innovative display panel for showing important info to the driver. That’s in addition to the standard equipments of the Panamera S including leather interior, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Bi-Xenon headlights, front and rear ParkAssist, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic dimming rear view mirrors, Porsche Communication Management with touch-screen satellite navigation and audio controls, cruise control and a three year warranty.

So it is the best version of the Panamera to buy if you want a good compromise between speed and and economy. But it has a hefty price tag. When it goes on sale in UK in June, it’ll have a base price of £86,146. In Germany and rest of Europe it’ll cost 106,185 Euro. Ouch!