An unrivalled combination of sporting driving dynamics and powerful and efficient powertrains has seen the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid and Porsche Taycan 4S rewarded in the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2020 announced today.
The monthly consumer motoring magazine reviewed the hybrid and electric car market, and the expert jurors assessed all vehicle aspects with a view to helping buyers understand more about this developing segment. And in key areas such as electric performance and everyday use, as well as the traditional sports car heartland of driving enjoyment, the two Porsche models stood out.
In presenting the Panamera with its Performance Hybrid award, the dynamic qualities of the Porsche clearly resonated with the judges at What Car?, and commented: “With lots of driver appeal, sensible running costs and a beautiful interior, this Panamera is a prime example of how plug-in hybrids can be exciting and yet eminently liveable.“
The Porsche plug-in hybrid always starts in purely electric ‘E-Power‘ mode and operates as a zero-emission vehicle for a range of up to 31 miles (WLTP) and a maximum speed of 87 mph. The 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine produces 330 PS and is combined with a 136 PS electric motor. The electric motor is supplied with power via a liquid-cooled lithium-ion 14.1 kWh battery.
A total system power of 462 PS drives all four wheels, and the standard three-chamber air suspension balances comfort and agility. The Panamera E-Hybrid can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and where permitted can achieve a top speed of 172 mph. Fuel consumption (WLTP Weighted Combined) for the Panamera E-Hybrid is 97.4 mpg, emissions (WLTP Weighted Combined) 74 g/km CO2. Combined electrical consumption is 21.7 – 21.0 kWh/100 km. The Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is priced from £83,718.00 RRP.
The Taycan is the first purely battery electric Porsche sports car and clearly signals the beginning of a new era for the Stuttgart company.
The Taycan is the first production vehicle with a system voltage of 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts for electric cars. This is a particular advantage as in a little over five minutes, the battery can be recharged using direct current (DC) from the high-power charging network for a range of up to 62 miles (according to WLTP). The charging time for five to 80 per cent SoC (state of charge) is 22.5 minutes under ideal conditions. Taycan drivers can also comfortably charge their cars with up to 11 kW of alternating current (AC) at home or at public charging stations.
The Taycan is powered by two permanently-excited synchronous electric motors on the front and rear axles delivering all-wheel drive, and a two-speed transmission on the rear axle. Up to 390 kW (530 PS) overboost power output is available. Equipped with the optional Performance Battery Plus, it delivers up to 420 kW (571 PS) on overboost. The Taycan motors have been tuned to deliver Porsche-typical breathtaking acceleration and repeatable performance. A sprint to 62 mph takes just 4.0 seconds, and where permitted can reach 155 mph.
When the What Car? panel cast its votes for their top Electric Performance Car, the authentic Porsche sports car character and technology of the Taycan was a clear point of difference versus its rivals. “Put simply, the 4S has raised the bar for electric performance cars by demonstrating that battery power doesn’t have to mean a one-dimensional driving experience.”
In the Taycan 4S, the WLTP range is up to 252 miles with the standard lithium-ion Performance Battery (gross capacity 79.2 kWh) and up to 287 miles with the Performance Battery Plus (gross capacity 93.4 kWh) – the highest value of the current Taycan range. The maximum DC charging capacity (peak) is 225 kW (Performance Battery) or 270 kW (Performance Battery Plus). According to the WLTP, Combined energy consumption is 21.1 – 26.2 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 0 g/km.
The Porsche Taycan 4S is priced from £83,367.00 RRP.
