2011 Porsche Panamera could be world's most expensive hybrid
We've been following the on-again, off-again news of the upcoming hybrid and diesel powertrain options on Porsche's Panamera, which is scheduled to go on sale starting next year. It seems that the hybrid is a lock and will be equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine offering 300 horsepower along with an extra hundred horsies from the electric motor. While that engine and motor combo will likely make the Porsche an extremely fast hybrid, rumor has it that the driver will be able to selectively choose how much power to extract from either power source. If this holds true, the Panamera hybrid sounds a heck of a lot more interesting today that it did just yesterday.
The other possible alternative powertrain for the Panamera is a diesel engine. While the Cayenne will get the 3.0L diesel engine from Audi, the Panamera could double that cylinder count by being bestowed with Audi's mammoth 6.0L V12 TDI, which punches out 500 horsepower along with an incredible 758 lb-ft of torque. In Audi's large Q7 SUV, that powerplant manages nearly 20 miles per gallon, and it should do considerably better in the low-slung Panamera if it indeed finds its way underhood. Expect all of these options to come at a high cost, as the normal six-cylinder Panamera is expected to fetch $127,000 and the higher spec. turbo V8 model will go for nearly $200 grand. Sounds like the upcoming four door Porsche hybrid will require very deep pockets.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Serge 12:25PM (7/23/2008)
As the old saying goes "not everything that shines is gold," which we can adapt to "not every hybrid car is green."
Reply
nom de plume 12:43PM (7/23/2008)
There is nothing remotely green about this car. Is there any justification for posting about it in a "green" blog, unless it is in the category of GREEN-WASHING?
Reply
dtv 4:28PM (7/23/2008)
There maybe nothing "Green" about the application, but the technology could prove to have much more green applications. If Porsche has figured out a way to allow the driver to select how much power to extract from either power source, that can be transferred to so many different [more green] applications - the trucking industry (for one) comes to mind.
Reply
stevejust 3:32PM (7/23/2008)
One useful thing about this post is that one can compare the price tag of the Panamera to the price tag on the Fisker Karma... and wonder where the extra $100,000 goes. Either Fisker is way off about their cost estimates, on Porsche plans to be extremely profitable.
'Cause I have a deposit on the Fisker for the "estimated" $80,000 price tag, I do find these reports useful. My fear is Fisker might look at cars like the Panamera and other such cars in the same class, and jack up the price a whole lot.
Reply