SHORT DRIVE: New Crusade
The tax-privy Porsche Panamera is now moving closer to luxury saloons like the Merc S-class, BMW 7-series and Jag XJ
WHAT'S NEW?
The Panamera becomes the second Porsche to get hybrid power with a VW-developed engine and gearbox shared with the pioneering Cayenne, albeit with extended abilities in fuel economy and pure EV driving mode due to lower body weight.
Just like the Cayenne Hybrid S, the Panamera S Hybrid is capable of attracting 10% excise tax due to an engine displacing less than 3,000cc. As a result, the eco-friendly Panamera is attractively priced at 9.6 million baht.
Rear occupants get comfort-related gimmicks.
That's a huge price benefit because the next cheapest Panamera is the V6 version costing a substantial 4.5 million baht more _ and it has inferior performance and economy compared to the S Hybrid.
This effectively makes the S Hybrid the automatic choice in the Thai Panamera lineup in sheer value terms, although hard-footed drivers with extra-deep pockets can always find an excuse to go for the hilariously fast Turbo and Turbo S models at some 20 million baht.
WHAT'S COOL?
Even though the 380hp S Hybrid is the fourth quickest model in the Panamera range (after the 400hp S, 500hp Turbo and 550hp Turbo S), the performance is aplenty on Thai roads for such a low-priced Porsche.
The S Hybrid sprints away from standstill in a spirited manner, overtakes others on the road shamelessly and attains high speeds without sweat, thanks to assistance in both supercharged and electric forms.
And it's the latter function that helps boost the green credentials of the S Hybrid by allowing brief pure electric driving at low speeds. The engine can also switch off under coasting (throttle lift-off) at no more than 165kph before coming back to life again virtually unnoticed _ if you're not looking at the tach needle.
Normal automatic is more lethargic than PDK variation.
The S Hybrid may not be as economical as the range-leading Diesel, but it's still commendable at some 14kpl with such meaty performance.
Just like other Panameras, the S Hybrid has easy steering, precise handling, powerful brakes and a comfortable suspension setup even in the intermediate setting of the three-level damping mode.
WHAT'S NOT?
Porsche owners used to the brand's PDK dual-clutch automatic will find the normal automatic in the S Hybrid a little lethargic, especially in manual mode.
True, the eight-speed slushier will grant you the power reserves of the S Hybrid, plus the fuel economy from an ultra-relaxed gearing of the seventh and eighth forward ratios.
But it merely lacks the fluid and quick gear-change action of the PDK, which is used in the basic Panamera, S, Turbo and Turbo S models.
And speaking of the V8-powered S, the S Hybrid lacks the aural thrills needed to make the car equally sporty as comfortable at the same time.
BUY OR BYE?
Although the S Hybrid lacks some sportiness potential owners might come to expect of a car wearing a Porsche badge, it is very difficult to ignore the car's attractive price.
In fact, Life believes that the S Hybrid will be an important tool in attracting Thai (and other Asians) clients new to the Porsche brand with its startling price, green credentials, quick-enough performance and sufficient levels of comfort.
It almost appears that Porsche is starting a new crusade, snaring luxury saloon buyers who want something different from the Mercedes S-class.
Sirs at Weissach: Are long wheelbase, reclining rear seats or soft-close doors the next things to come?
Other performance hybrids
BMW ACTIVEHYBRID 5
Power: 340hp/450Nm 3.0-litre inline-six, petrol-turbo-electric
Gearbox: 8-speed automatic
0-100kph: 5.9sec
Economy: 15.6kpl
CO2: 149g/km
Just announced recently, the 5-series becomes the third BMW to run on hybrid power. Due to its engine size, it can attract the special 10% excise tax. But whether BMW Thailand will sell _ or locally assemble _ it is another matter.
LEXUS GS450H
Power: 343hp/345Nm 3.5-litre V6, petrol-electric
Gearbox: CVT automatic
0-100kph: 5.9sec
Economy: 15.9kpl
CO2: 145g/km
Its excessive engine size (over 3,000cc) means no tax privy and the 50% max instead. That's why the Thai Lexus office never sold it, even in first generation form. Its lower CO2 and fuel consumption figures than the BMW (and Porsche) show how flawed the Thai excise system is.
Below: Shared with the Cayenne, the hybrid is both punchy and frugal.
Chassis setup can feel unusually comfortable.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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