Porsche reports rising demand for plug-in Panamera S-E hybrid
08 July 2014
Porsche reported an almost 8% increase in sales during the first half of 2014 to 87,800 units. In the first six months, the new Panamera Gran Turismo was especially in demand with around 13,500 units were delivered—a rise of 28%. Also, almost one in ten customers opted for the Panamera S-E plug-in hybrid model. (Earlier post.)
The new Panamera S E-Hybrid’s electric drive produces 95 hp (70 kW), more than double the power of the previous hybrid model’s electric motor (47 hp). Electricity is stored in a 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. Via the integrated on-board charging componentry and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC), the battery can reach full charge within approximately two and a half hours when connected to a 240V power source.
The Panamera S E-Hybrid, which starts in the US at $99,000, is capable of accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a top track speed of 167 mph (269 km/h).
In the first six months of 2014, Porsche increased sales in all key regions. There was a particularly strong response from European customers. The number of units sold rose by 14% to almost 30,000 deliveries. Of these, 12,300 units were sold in the home market of Germany.
In the US, Porsche recorded 23,000 new cars delivered —up 8%compared to the period January to June 2013. In China, also Porsche reports a rise of 8% with 19,800 cars in the first six months of 2014. The majority of deliveries worldwide were registered by the Cayenne with 37,200 units, followed by the 911 model series (15,615).
Until they reconsider their PHEV approach Porsche will not make big volumes with their wrongly set PHEVs like this one.
Here they took the largest 6 x Cyl Turbo ICE engine, and on top of it, put a very small Electric add-on, with ridiculous <10KWH battery and <100KW motor, whose sole purpose is to provide even more peak power when working together with the ICE engine, the All-electric mode being not really usable here. Result is it's price is "out of the sky" (I saw a demo model of that Panamera PHEV at €136K including options, near Paris last month, a price range where very few potential PHEV customers are left. Plus it does not allow what the PHEV fans like me are chasing today, that is do do all my local commutes in a comfortable all electric mode, keeping the ICE engine for the longer week-end and vacations trips. This would require a large enough - say 30KWH - battery that could be charged only once every 2 x days for up to 60M per day local commutes, so it can last 20 years and reselling value of the used car is great. Here people who want to do their local commutes all electric, will have to fully charge the battery twice per day and it will last 5 years so reselling value for this car if really used as a PHEV will be nothing.
And rumors say Porsche will use the same wrong sizing approach for the next Cayenne PHEV expected this fall, certainly at same level of pricing....
My only hope is that for the Macan PHEV expected next year, they change their mind and position it as the 1st "mainstream PHEV SUV" setting it with a 30KWH battery, w/ stronger # 150KW Electric motor power, reducing the ICE to a smaller 4 x Cylinders, to reduce the cost of the car to near €60K, making Macan 4 x Cyl PHEV = Macan 6 x Cyl,...so I can buy my 1st Porsche ever.
Posted by: Patrick Free | 08 July 2014 at 10:26 AM
Porsche and Tesla cater to different customer base. Porsche's customers demand capability of continuous Autobahn cruising and racetrack performance that only a big ICE can deliver. Tesla's customers are more like Patrick who want to drive mostly electric, and are very satisfied with the performance, ergonomic, and spaciousness of the Model S.
Patrick, you can't go wrong with the Tesla model S when you can use SuperChargers to Recharge your battery along the trip. France is making a big push for PEV so will provide a lot more fast charging stations. Why make life more complicated?
Posted by: Roger Pham | 08 July 2014 at 12:20 PM
Oh, BTW, battery won't last for 20 years, more like 10 yrs max for the most advanced auto batteries whether you use it or not. Count on 5 yrs or less for laptop battery or lead-acid battery! The bigger the pack, the more you will waste in term of battery potential capacity with aging.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 08 July 2014 at 12:27 PM
@ Roger : I love the Teslas more than any other Electric car today, especially their future Model X, but I won't buy one for my family before they add an ICE Range Extender using a widely available petrol flavor, so I can also go on vacations with it, in far away southern Europe locations around the Mediterranean sea, in August, or when there will be thousands of fast chargers all around Europe down to the same far away locations busy in August and almost desert the rest of the year... Which will take 10 to 20 years. And since Tesla (radicals) said no RE ever will be provided nor even be tolerated by Tesla, from 3rd parties, in the Front trunk of Model X, then I'll need to wait 10 to 20 x years before I can buy my 1st Tesla... And I'll look at something else to replace my main family car end of this year or the lastest next year... Problem is I found no good PHEV SUV with a decent all Electric mode yet.... But not loosing faith...
Posted by: Patrick Free | 09 July 2014 at 07:26 AM
Your wish will be fulfilled when automotive batteries will double or triple in energy density. Actually, Tesla's battery is already good enough right now for a PHEV with 20-30 kWh pack. Hopefully Tesla will sell their battery pack to other auto MFGs to make PHEV.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 10 July 2014 at 08:25 AM
BTW, auto ownership is a luxury in Europe. My uncle has been a nuclear physicist in France since 1970's, yet he never owned a car in France. For our domestic vacation in the USA, we fly to destinations and rent cars. The ability to sample cars of different makes via rental is a plus for auto enthusiasts like we are.
Posted by: Roger Pham | 10 July 2014 at 08:38 AM
Pondering why Tesla + Supercharger network isn't sufficient, Patrick?
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 10 July 2014 at 07:44 PM