The next addition to the Porsche Panamera ever-growing range is apparently a plug-in hybrid. It will join the range – including the Panamera, Panamera S, Panamera Turbo, Panamera Turbo S, Panamera GTS, Panamera Diesel, and Panamera S Hybrid – in mid 2013. The main difference between this and the Hybrid is the plug-in feature enabling the car to have an electric range of 30 kilometers (19 miles).

The range of the normal hybrid is just two kilometres (1.24 miles), the speed in electric mode is up to 85 km/h (53 mph) depending on the driving situation. The plug-in features bigger lithium-ion supplying the electric motor located between the supercharged V6 petrol engine and the eight-speed transmission. No official figures are available yet on the car’s performance and economy.

The Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is driven by the same engine combination that has already proved itself in the Cayenne S Hybrid: The main power comes from a three-litre V6 compressor engine which delivers 333 hp (245 kW) and is supported by a 34 kW (47 hp) electric motor. Their maximum torque of up to 300 Nm is available constantly at speeds below 1,150 rpm. The electric motor can propel the Panamera S Hybrid all by itself or can support the internal combustion engine. And it can be used as a generator or as a starter.

via: Motortrend