PORSCHE PANAMERA S HYBRID Full Review

:TRANSMISSION: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Ok, here we go. You ready?

I’m thinkinnnn…. SPIES. Yes, Spies. I mean, can you believe what spies have to go through all the time? …Shady places, hiding secret docs, perusing apps. Well, maybe not the apps so much, but they have to give a lot up in order to get the job done.

So… they need a cool car. Now, …there have been many cars used by spies. And since I am a Spy… (at least in this episode,) then I need a cool car to help make the drop. Or in this case, THE SWITCH. And the doods at Porsche helped oblige by sending me a brand spankin’ new PORSCHE PANAMERA S HYBRID. And we call this ADVERTAINMENT.

The Panamera’s quick, super comfy and best of all, quiet. As in shhhhh…. Being a Spy and all makes me super secret. And being super secret is my game. I do have to drive down dark corners… but also have to have a few cup holders for my super secret spy drinks. I have to carry lotsa spy loot and there’s plenty of room in the back for my top secret nik-naks and doo-dads. It’s got plenty of power so that I can outrun the bad guys (…if they’re chasing me, catch them if they’re not) BUT, be totally stealthy quiet and able to sneak around like a ferret on a mouse hunt. (Do Ferrets eat mice? Need 2 Note Basis: There has to be an app for that.)

Ok, you may ask why I’m revealing myself to you here? Not very Spy-like, yo. Well, it’s because of the car, really. It’s just too cool to keep to myself. Rock n’ Roll front and rear seat comfort, spacious in a whole “if I had several kids” sorta way or maybe a snappy client. It also has an unusual exterior design that’s innovative and sexy, yet very Porsche. Did I mention the secret cup holders?

Anyway, I’m a spy. Ok, that we know. Only, just on weekends and in between my work-outs. If I have time, of course. Being a Spy isn’t what it used to be, but driving cool cars is…

And here’s the best part…

This big dog Porsche gets some serious gas mileage. As in 22/30. That’s good for a tourer. And being a spy with a conscience, I like to make sure that I’m making the world a better place for future spies. You know, all the greenness and such. Everyone likes doin’ their job if they can breath well and not down a bunch a toxins. So, these Porsche doods really thought this out. Good on ya.

‘Course, the lady I almost ran into the other day because she couldn’t hear me comin’ was a surprise. But hey, I AM A SPY, duh. Like, she’s lucky I didn’t toss her in the back and take her to the Ukraine for questioning! I mean, WHAT’S UP WITH THAT???

Ok, where was I? Interior… check. Exterior… check. OH!

It’s a PORSCHE. 4 doors and just plain cool to drive. And if you’re a Spy (I won’t tell), leave me a post below and I’ll hook you up to where you can get one of these bad boys.

:Transmission END:

And if you wan to know more, here’s some cool info directly from the Porsche doods themselves!

The Panamera S Hybrid features a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid system. Through continuous interaction between the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and electric motor, the Panamera S Hybrid focuses on maximum efficiency. Depending on driving conditions, both drive units can operate independently or together. The 47-horsepower (34 kW) electric motor is the ideal partner for the 333-horsepower supercharged engine, which produces high torque at low engine speeds, with peak torque at 428 lb-ft at just 1,000 rpm.

With a combined power output of 380 horsepower from the supercharged V6 combustion engine and an electric motor, the Panamera S Hybrid delivers performance nearly equal to the Panamera S with its 400-horsepower V8 with EPA fuel economy figures exceeding those of the Panamera with the 300-horsepower V6 engine.

The electric motor and the supercharged V6 are connected by a decoupling clutch that ensures the Panamera S Hybrid can be driven either by the electric motor or the combustion engine alone, or by both drive units together. The Hybrid Manager constantly coordinates their complex interaction, and intelligent management of the clutch makes the transition among various driving modes seamless and comfortable.

Like many traditional hybrids, the Panamera S Hybrid can cover short distances on electric power alone at speeds up to 53 mph.

What makes the Panamera S Hybrid and the Cayenne S Hybrid different is their ability to further enhance fuel economy at cruising or highway speeds.

Christened by the Weissach engineers as ‘sailing’ – or coasting – mode, when the Panamera S Hybrid doesn’t need drive power and the driver lifts off the accelerator, the gasoline engine can be completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain using the decoupling clutch, enabling the vehicle to move along without combustion or electric power.

This means significant fuel saving at steady cruising speeds, with engine drag forces and their braking effect being eliminated. As soon as the driver presses the accelerator to pass another vehicle, for example, the gasoline engine smoothly starts within a fraction of a second and engine rpms are increased to match the current vehicle speed. Thanks to the Hybrid Manager, the Panamera S Hybrid can accelerate dynamically much like a conventional Panamera.

The hybrid system uses a 288-volt nickel metal-hydride (NiMh) battery fitted beneath the luggage compartment and regenerative braking, the process of storing electricity regained from applying the brakes and driving under normal conditions. This energy is then available for boosting and electric drive, again saving fuel in the process.