News / 20 February 2024 / Michael Taylor

Porsche announces new mid-range Panamera models – Expected pricing

Porsche has just revealed two new models for the next-gen Panamera – the 4 E-Hybrid and the 4S E-Hybrid – which will soon join the rest of the Panamera family that currently consists of three models introduced back in November 2023.

European deliveries of the new E-Hybrid versions will commence in the second quarter of the year, with South Africa expected to receive them shortly thereafter. Therefore, local pricing for these vehicles is currently unavailable.

At present, the range consists of the standard Panamera at R2,116,000, the Panamera 4 at R2,192,000, and the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid at R4,027,000.

The 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid are expected to fill the price gap between the Panamera 4 and the Turbo, putting their tags somewhere between R2.2 million and R4.1 million.

Performance

The 4 E-Hybrid, which will serve as the entry point to the semi-electric Panamera, is equipped with a 2.9-litre, V6, bi-turbo petrol engine, which produces 224kW without any assistance.

This is combined with a 140kW/450Nm electric motor and a 25.9kWh battery, which raises the total system output to 346kW and 650Nm, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 280km/h.

The mid-spec 4S E-Hybrid, meanwhile, uses the same 2.9-litre powertrain which has been uprated to generate 260kW on its own.

With electrical assistance, the sports car’s potential is raised to 400kW and 750Nm, which shaves the 0-100km/h time down to 3.7 seconds with a higher top speed of 290km/h.

Both cars employ an eight-speed, dual-clutch gearbox and are driven by all four wheels.

All versions of the Panamera hybrid have seen massive improvements to their battery technology, which delivers 45% more capacity while taking up roughly the same space as the previous generation’s cells, resulting in a maximum electric driving range of 96km.

The Porsche also features a new 11kW AC onboard charger, which cuts down the standard top-up rate to two hours and 39 minutes.

Each E-Hybrid comes with four optimized driving functions, starting with the default E-Power mode, which puts the car in pure-electric mode whenever it is started and automatically changes to a Hybrid Auto mode when the charge of the battery drops below a minimum value.

An E-Hold mode is used to preserve the current battery level, and an E-Charge mode is able to use the combustion engine to replenish up to 80% of the battery.

These functions are in addition to the usual Sport and Sport Plus settings, which were modified on the hybrids to reduce the engine-to-battery recharge target down to 30% in an attempt to maintain efficiency without compromising on performance.

Furthermore, every unit in the next-gen Panamera family now comes with adaptive two-chamber air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management and two-valve dampers.

Customers can also opt for Porsche Active Ride suspension on the E-Hybrids, which provides greater traction and handling in corners while still maintaining a high level of comfort, said the automaker.

Features

The front of the new Panamera is defined by a pair of standard Matrix LED headlights and a new horizontal air intake, while the rear is accentuated by a continuous LED taillight and a frameless rear window.

The side profile has been adjusted with new window contours outlined in silver, and the front and back are fitted with redesigned bumpers.

On the 4 E-Hybrid, buyers can expect 19-inch alloy wheels and black brake calipers, while the 4S is distinguished by larger 20-inch AeroDesign wheels, red calipers, and a silver sports tailpipe.

Buyers can further customize their vehicle with optional HD Matrix headlamps or brake calipers in Acid Green, and the 4S has the option to install 21-inch wheels with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes that measure 440mm at the front and 410mm at the back.

All of this is in addition to the items found inside the cabin, such as a 12.6-inch curved driver display, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, ambient lighting, climate control, and assistance functions like adaptive cruise control, active speed assist, traffic sign recognition, swerve assist, and active lane guidance.

Owners can then add to this list with leather-free upholstery and a separate 10.9-inch dashboard screen for the front passenger.