PORSCHE PANAMERA

If there is one thing Porsche isn't afraid of, it's providing an abundance of choice. There are 20 different 911 variations alone, while every Porsche can be had with hundreds of options. The 2012 Porsche Panamera adds to its own automotive horn o'plenty with a pair of new models, the fuel economy-oriented Panamera S Hybrid and the range-topping Turbo S.


The S Hybrid, as the name suggests, features a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. Co-developed with parent company Volkswagen, this powertrain utilizes an electric motor sandwiched between an Audi-sourced supercharged V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is a combined output of 375 hp and 427 pound-feet of torque, or about the same output as the V8-powered Panamera S.

Porsche says the S Hybrid will go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, a time that's a bit slower than the V8 due to the Hybrid's increased weight. With estimates of 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, the Panamera Hybrid is still a long way away from Prius territory, but it does achieve 4 mpg better city fuel economy than the Panamera S and 2 mpg better in the city than the V6-powered base Panamera. Highway fuel economy is worse than the S and the same as the V6.

Somehow a Porsche hybrid will always seem weird, even when discussing the already pretty weird Panamera. As such, the second new member of the family seems to be more appropriate. The range-topping Porsche Panamera Turbo S features a more powerful version of the current Turbo model's twin-turbo V8. With 550 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque coupled to Porsche's automated manual transmission, the Turbo S should hit 60 mph in a truly staggering 3.6 seconds. That's just a hair slower than a 911 Turbo.


The other five Panamera variants are expected to carry over unchanged for 2012, and we'll have more information on them in the coming months. Check back in the fall of 2011 for complete information and buying advice on the 2012 Porsche Panamera lineup.