2014 Porsche Panamera Lineup to Include Brand's First Plug-In Hybrid

Nashua, 04/18/2013 / SubmitMyPR /

It may come as a surprise to car buyers, but the world's first hybrid vehicle was actually created back in 1900 by Porsche's founder, Ferdinand Porsche. Though the luxury auto brand has since become better known for the performance of its sports cars, Porsche has not lost its zeal for innovating with electricity. Case in point: Its first-ever plug-in hybrid, the 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, which will debut at Auto China in Shanghai later this month before going on sale in the United States late this year.

Replacing the current Panamera S Hybrid, the Panamera S E-Hybrid will offer both improved performance and fuel economy, thanks to a more powerful electric motor and a higher-capacity lithium-ion battery pack. The gas-electric sports sedan will sprint from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, a half second faster than its predecessor, and city commuters will be able to enjoy more than 20 miles of all-electric driving. Advanced technology will extend beyond the E-Hybrid's drivetrain as well, with a Porsche Car Connect app enabling drivers to monitor charge and range on Android- and iOS-powered mobile devices.

"The current Panamera S Hybrid gives luxury buyers the ability to feel good about their carbon footprint while feeling great when they put their foot down on the pedal, and the Panamera S E-Hybrid takes that idea even further," said Larry Bedell, general manager of Porsche of Nashua, a Porsche dealer in New Hampshire. "Some E-Hybrid owners will even be able to commute to the office without using a single drop of gas, yet they'll still be able to let loose on the back roads on weekends."

Porsche's new plug-in hybrid is heading to market as part of the second generation of the Panamera family, which will span nine models, including two new extended-wheelbase variants. Designed with a more spacious and comfortable rear seating area, the Panamera 4S Executive and Panamera Turbo Executive will feature a wheelbase that is 5.9 inches longer and a standard adaptive air suspension when they go on sale in 2014.

Following successful redesigns of its Boxster and 911 sports cars in 2012, Porsche hopes that the next-gen Panamera will continue to boost brand sales, which have been coming in at a record pace recently. The luxury automaker has sold 9,650 units through the first three months of 2013, a 35 percent year-over-year increase and a new Porsche first-quarter record. Last month, Porsche's sales rose by 41 percent compared to the same time period in 2012, with the brand moving 3,487 models for a new March record.

"Porsche has the freshest lineup in its history right now, and it's going to get even fresher with the arrival of the 2014 Panamera," added Bedell. "We expect that that the car's tighter design lines and new drivetrains will help keep Porsche's sales going strong later this year and into 2014."

About Porsche of Nashua:
A 2010 and 2011 Premier Porsche Dealer, Porsche of Nashua delivers customer service equal to the quality of the Porsche brand. For new and used Porsche sales, Porsche service and Porsche parts, choose the New Hampshire Porsche dealership that stands out from the rest. Interested Porsche shoppers can browse their inventory online at www.porschenashua.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/porscheofnashua, call them at 603-578-3744 or visit their dealership at 170 Main Dunstable Road in Nashua, N.H. Discover what a premier automotive buying and servicing experience can be at Porsche of Nashua.