Is the faster model really the better model: Panamera Turbo Turismo E Hybrid vs Turbo S

admin   Sun, 10 Dec 2017  MACHEENE | Report Abuse

In the past, the more expensive sporty monicker was saved for the do all things model in a car line up. Now adays there is always a one up and specialty captured for ONE of the top models because there is so many to choose from. If there is a company that likes to utilize a spectrum of names in a line up as if they were reading down a name directory it has to be Porshe. Case and point the Porshe 911 what a headache of a car to follow, models of models of cars all with a different purpose but one name that is sure to encompass all things is the addition of Turbo S to any of it's models. 

So you're headed to Porshe dealership today and ask for the top of the line Panamera Turismo Turbo S, the agent asks you which one. Thinking there may be some confusion as there is now a wagon vs a car you state the wagon (Turismo). The agent again goes which one, well the one with the big engine that can do 0-60 in under 4 seconds.....which one sir there are two turbo S options. Throw the hands up in the air in disbelief you ask to see the options, he pulls that brochures and you see a Turbo S a familiar tone but then to your astonishment, there is a Turbo S E Hybrid. What the hell is that well the E Hybrid doesn't stand for fuel economy in this sense but added performance to the tune of a 

0-60: 3.2 seconds 
Top Speed: 192 mph  

vs

Combustion engine Turbo S with Sport Chrono package 
0-60: 3.6 seconds 
Top Speed: 188 mph 
  
              

A difference that is more recognizable side by side vs individual tests.Happy is the man that weareth the crown but these are tough choices so you say which one is more expensive. Not to anyone's surprise, they tell you the Hybrid...almost 50K more expensive. What in the hell is going on, could that meagre amount of performance gain warrant such a high price tag. Well I think there Silo'd and let me explain the straight line sledgehammer will be the Turismo  E Hybrid with a raised top speed and quicker 0-60 this car is meant for the Tesla effect as the electric surge comes in instantaneously removing any lag that is present in normal turbos. Be advise all you M5 and E63 AMG S aficionados this car competes with the S-Class/Audi S8 so for the big Luxo 4 door this is a tempting experience. So this is your all purpose top of the line model you asked salesman he goes, yes but ...."oh here we go" this weigh's 600lb more than the Turbo S. How is that well the batteries are the main culprit as well as additional cooling units for the engine and batteries .... 600 lb's that's a couple of people are you sure its faster. Well in a straight line it certainly is the only issue is when you hit a corner....makes sense so I want a sporty car ...agent well your top of the line may not be what Porshe considers top of the line. 

        

Let's get into how meaningful the E Hybrid happens to be and what changes just for an overview vs it's more athletic lighter twin. 680 hp and 626 lb of torque go hard or go home. At 55 mph the car boasts an active spoiler that makes magic happen to adjust for high-speed manoeuvring.  The standards that set it apart outside of the 130 hp power advantage include Porshe Ceramic breaks, PDCC chassis control, Torque vectoring plus, power steering plus, air suspension and sports chrono.....so it costs more because they force all the options on you makes sense and when you add all these up it appears to be a good value.

When a car moves you while sitting still you have something special on your hands and this car does just that. The design silhouette turns me more than the sedan and if I had choices my 200K would go to this next to a Urus I like the sleeper cars. The all-digital touch to change interior simplifies the once old Cessna cockpit looking interior but now the use of expensive touch surface material and hard metal knurled controls exudes the future and a bit of sophistication. In all you now have two choices at the top as the true separation of the two is only the HP my problem I hope there is a Turbo S + one that combines the hammer of the Hybrids weight and the dynamics of the Turbo S...and one that doesn't use any electric power at all. We can only hope or just go reprogram the Panamera Turbo S to meet your hearts intent.