Porsche unveils facelifted Panamera along with a new plug-in hybrid model

Since 2009, the Panamera has expanded the appeal of Porsche into the executive saloon segment. Now a new chapter unfolds for the German marque's four door, four seater sports car with the facelifted Panamera - to be formally introduced through a world premier at Auto China in Shanghai on the 21st April.

As per Porsche's tradition, the new Panamera offers a refined design that requires the keen eye of Sherlock Holmes. Besides tighter lines, more pronounced contours and newly shaped body elements, the new Panamera can be identified by larger air intakes and a new tailgate that highlights the rear of the vehicle.

The highlight of the new Panamera however is the plug-in Hybrid - a first in its class. The Panamera S E-Hybrid is engineered with a more powerful electric motor, a higher performance battery and the ability to be recharged through external means.

The century sprint of the hybrid is cut to 5.5 seconds thanks to the electric boost function that aids the internal combustion engine which can also be activated by kick down. It also manages its fuels well with a rating of 38.6km/L which equates to emissions of 71g/km CO₂. The car's overall top speed is 270km/h from a combined output of 416bhp.

The electric drive produces 95bhp, and draws energy from a new 9.4kWh lithium-ion battery - over five times the energy capacity of the previous nickel metal hydride battery technology. Pure electric driving is possible with an electric driving range of up to 36km and a top speed of 135km/h.

On top of the hybrid powertrain a entirely new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 is now contained within the Panamera S and Panamera 4S. The bi-turbo V6 replaces the 4.8-litre V8 engine in the Panamera S and Panamera 4S - yet the 'smaller' powertrain offers 20bhp more power and a 20Nm increase in torque. Moreover the V6 returns up to 18 percent better fuel economy.

Most of the Panamera models feature the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission while the eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic is used in the Panamera Diesel and Panamera S E-Hybrid. An extended start-stop function now deactivates the engine when the car is coasting to a stop - for more fuel savings.