It was the worst kept secret in Porsche’s Pananamera development saga, but today it’s official. Porsche will offer hybrid power as an option on its forthcoming four-door grand tourer, the company announced. The automaker released a diagram of the powertrain, which also provides us with an undisguised glimpse at the car.
It should come as no surprise that the Panamera’s hybrid system will come from Cayenne Hybrid, which was announced last year and is expected to debut as a 2010 model.
Depending on driving conditions, the hybrid module is able to disengage either the combustion engine or the electric motor, or to combine both drive systems as one joint power unit.
Porsche says the regular Pananamera will debut in 2009, with the hybrid edition to follow at some point after that — “depending on market requirements.”
The new diagram of the powertrain released by Porsche shows the approximate layout of the major components in the system. It also gives us a glimpse at some of the design elements of the car, which so far has only been photographed with disguise during testing.



01/07, 10:54 AM
posted by:
Veda
Ok, when Porsche starts to take hybrids seriously we just have to admit that things have changed a lot since the last century.
01/07, 11:09 AM
posted by:
corvette
i like it. next up GT3 hybrid…..
01/07, 11:15 AM
posted by:
WEKS
Hybrids aren’t all that bad you know, the electric motor puts a nice amount of tourqe.
01/07, 11:28 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
Hybrid technology continues to gain capability while reducing costs. Not too far into the future every internal combustion engine vehicle will feature some kind of hybrid technology. Good on Porsche for expanding on the technology’s performance envelope.
01/07, 11:37 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
Looks similar in basic layout to GMs setup. Where are VW and Audi in the hybrid arena? They must have some hand in the R&D of this.
01/07, 12:00 PM
posted by:
CA36GTP
I play a little game with myself whenever a new article pops up. It’s called “Find the Screw-Up by LLN’s Editors”. Hasn’t failed me in a long time.
01/07, 12:30 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
A Porsche is a Porsche, of course, of course,
And no one can talk to a Porsche of course
That is, of course, unless the Porsche is the famous
Mister (Hybr)ED
01/07, 1:34 PM
posted by:
autonut
I still wonder is this hybrid system like GM or Toyota? I don’t recall Porsche, Audi or VW being part of hybrid transmission consortium (GM, Ford, Chrysler), so perhaps they followed Toyota model (separate internal combustion and electric motors joined at transmission).
01/07, 5:35 PM
posted by:
autonut
I suspect there will be a larger demand for hybrids then plain jane. People with money like to impress neighbors (priests, rabbis etc) with their good intentions and deeds. The difference in price is immaterial once it is over 100K.
01/07, 6:25 PM
posted by:
affliction
Hybrids are a GOOD thing. Sheeyt if the prius wasn’t so damn ugly i’d get one! 50mpg in the city??? That’s like cutting my gas bill by 70%. We need more good hybrids that give 50mpg+ but with good styling and of course good handling characteristics
01/07, 6:32 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomr
LP640… assuming there IS an average Panamera owner.. I think most rational, intelligent and discerning buyers will steer way clear of this monstrosity, Hybrid or not.
01/07, 8:25 PM
posted by:
Veda
The Panamera owners are in the same class as Quattroporte buyers. They don’t care much about the cost of fuel as much as the brand logo. But hybrid will appeal to those who thought of expensive sedans as gas hogs.
01/09, 7:30 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Vada: “when Porsche starts to take hybrids seriously we just have to admit that things have changed a lot since the last century.†Yep.
global_lightning: “Not too far into the future every internal combustion engine vehicle will feature some kind of hybrid technology.†Not long ago, I suggested that Ford should go all-hybrid. Maybe Mercury can do that. That’s one way to save mercury.
johnnycanuck: good comedy.
. Affliction: “We need more good hybrids that give 50mpg+ but with good styling and of course good handling characteristics.†In due time.