2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E Hybrid REVIEW

Hoping to remind car enthusiasts of the emotions they felt when the 918 Spyder was introduced, Porsche now offers the 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. It’s the new range topper for its one, and only, sedan. It relates to the 918 Spyder in the sense that the new Panamera is both the highest performer of the model line and a hybrid. The heart of the operation is a longitudinally mounted 4.0-liter V8 with 90-degree banks, four chain-driven camshafts with variable timing and direct injection. It’s a “hot-v” setup, meaning the intake ports are outside the V, and the exhaust ports are inside, where two twin-scroll turbochargers lie. Those compressors help spin up 550 hp at 5,750 rpm and 568 lb-ft of torque at just under 2,000 rpm. The hybrid capability comes courtesy of a 136-hp and 295-lb-ft-of-torque electric motor, which bolts directly to the back of the V8 and ahead of the eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The parallel system includes an electric decoupler so that the internal combustion engine and electric motor can work in concert or on their own. Total system power comes to 680 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, which is available, effectively, whenever.