PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Porsche plugs in

The Panamera Sport Turismo concept is clear evidence that a wagon is one of at least four derivatives Porsche is considering for its big sedan after the next generation emerges in 2016.

Much closer to reality, however, is the polarising show car’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which will become available as part of a facelifted Panamera range next year and in an upgraded Cayenne SUV lineup in 2014.

"In 2013 we will see the launch of the Porsche Panamera and the 918 Spyder as plug-in hybrids,” confirmed Volkswagen Group Chairman Dr Martin Winterkorn on the eve of the car’s debut at this week’s Paris motor show.

“Then in 2014 we will continue at a fast pace with plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Passat, Golf, Audi Q7, A3 and Porsche Cayenne.”

Volkswagen Group R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg told motoring.com.au that the Panamera Sport Turismo, which was to have been called the Shooting Brake until Mercedes chose to reveal its CLS namesake at the same show, also previews a potential wagon version of – and the interior design of – the next-generation Panamera.

“As always with a concept car we want to test how this variant would be accepted by the market – that’s why you do a concept car. If you are already sure you would do it, you don’t show the concept – why would you?” he said.

“With our future Panamera platform we intend to do derivates and this is one of the possibilities, so we want to see the reaction with our sports touring concept. Then we will decide.”

Motoring.com.au understands that if it gets the green light, a Panamera wagon underpinned by a version of the current model’s platform could reach production before the all-new MSB platform-based Panamera sedan.

Either way, he stressed that Porsche would develop the MSB platform for all large Volkswagen Group models, including the next Audi A7 and A8, and all Bentley models.

“We have so many opportunities – we could do a two-door coupe, and a convertible is also possible with the new MSB platform,” he said.

“We have to decide what is first. We need to prioritise – we cannot do everything at the same time. What is very clear is we need a Panamera follower and then the next derivate is very important.

“Panamera will continue to be on a Porsche platform, not a Bentley platform. We have much higher volumes than Bentley.”

Mr Hackenberg said the Sport Turismo concept also previewed the cabin of the next-generation Panamera due in four years, following next year’s facelift.

“The interior will be in the next generation, which we have to develop further, so this is a – let’s say – first view of the concept for the new interior.

Measuring an expansive 4950mm long and 1990mm wide but a stout 1410mm high, the Panamera wagon show car delivers a total output of 306kW of power from both a supercharged V6 petrol engine and an electric motor.

Both motors are mounted up front, with the Audi-sourced supercharged petrol V6 providing 245kW and a new-generation electric motor delivering 70kW of power – about twice as much as Porsche’s current hybrid system in the Panamera and Cayenne.

The latter will be powered by a new Lithium-Ion battery pack that replaces the nickel-metal-hydride battery in the current hybrid. Porsche says the new battery pack can be fully recharged in as little as two and a half hours.

The Sport Turismo is claimed to deliver 30km of pure electric driving at speeds up to 130km/h. Acceleration to 100km/h is listed at less than six seconds, with combined fuel consumption stated at just 3.5L/100km and CO2 emissions at only 82g/km.

Read more Paris Motor Show stories at motoring.com.au

See all the photos from the Paris Motor Show at motoring.com.au

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