Porsche has unveiled its most fuel efficient car ever and, no surprise, it's a hybrid. The new Panamera S Hybrid provides 380 horsepower of gasoline and electron power and can achieve up to 35 mpg.
The German car maker has been going full tilt with hybrid development. The Panamera is the latest from Zuffenhausen's gas-electric stable that so far covers its family friendly four-door models and race-ready rollcaged models.
Unlike some others offering hybrids, Porsche continues backing up the fuel efficiency of adding electric drive with plenty of performance and unique features like "sailing," an interesting way to maximize the use of the electric motor.
With only six seconds required to get to 62 mph, the new Panamera is nearly as fast as the standard Panamera S (5.6 seconds) in acceleration. Oomph comes from a 333-horsepower V6 and a 47-horsepower electric motor.
The car can run on gasoline, electricity or both. The all-electric range is a paltry 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), long enough to drive someplace you ought to walk to anyway. Cooler still, is the car's "sailing" capability that Porsche is hyping. At speeds up to 103 mph, you can cruise for short periods on electric power alone. The car shuts off the gasoline engine and you'll silently cruise at freeway speeds. The same tech is available in the Cayenne Hybrid.
The car is expected to make its first appearance at the Geneva auto show next month and will be available in Germany in June. No word on when the car appears on this side of the Atlantic.
Images: Porsche
