Porsche->ke1 is currently working on a new four-door that will offer both hybrid->ke147 and hydrogen fuel cell->ke4483 drivetrain options. The car will incorporate a revised structure based on the future eMSB architecture, which will also be used for upcoming Bentley->ke15 models and the new Panamera. It’s known internally as the Pajun,->ke4360 or “Panamera Junior,” and is slated to compete with the BMW 5 Series->ke317 at the upper end of the mid-size->ke1695 sedan->ke142 market. Speculation places its arrival sometime between late 2017 and early 2018.

The news was revealed by a series of patents filed in Germany, China, and the U.S., as analyzed by the UK-based publication Autocar. Ulrich Hackenberg, who’s responsible for technical development at Volkswagen Group, also dropped tantalizing hints at a press conference prior to Volkswagen’s->ke94 annual conference in March. 

Exact specifications are sparse, but it’s believed the new electric Porsche will bring with it at least 420 horsepower and a 265-mile range, making it a direct competitor to Tesla.->ke1842 It’s also speculated that the battery-powered version will be called the 718, while the fuel-cell model will be designated the 818.

Autocar says an examination of the patents reveal that Porsche has re-engineered the MSB platform to incorporate the new drivetrain into the rear of the structure itself, improving rigidity and rear-impact crash-worthiness. It’s similar to the design used in the 2016 Audi R8 e-tron, and would retain an independent rear suspension and utilize a single electric motor for each rear drive wheel, offering torque vectoring for improved cornering abilities. The package will be mounted low, which also means the car should have some space for storage in the back. 

Autocar

Continue reading to learn more about Porsche's future electric sedan.0}

As the inevitable march toward more and more electrification continues, it appears as though Volkswagen wants to expand its EV->ke1030 offerings substantially. The Pajun has been in the works for quite some time now, with info seesawing between speculation and denial, but with this latest report, it appears to be inching towards a reality. When it comes to electric power, the Pajun would join Porsche’s plug-in->ke4486 versions of the Cayenne->ke212 and Panamera,->ke1840 and don't forget the atmospheric performance of the 918 Spyder.->ke3629

Of course, we can pin the motivation behind these developments on the popularity of EVs in China->ke2090 and in the western U.S., and odds are we’ll be seeing further expansion in the future. For example, Porsche is developing its own inductive charging system that’ll allow for easy battery refills without the use of cables.

Why it matters

The Panamera may not be the most beautiful thing to come from Stuttgart, but it is one of the most profitable. First released in 2009, this four-door luxury sport fastback has its engine mounted up front, an uncommon trait with Porsche, and either RWD or AWD. A variety of engine options are available, including a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6, 250-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel, and a top-range twin-turbo 4.8-liter V-8 making 550 horsepower. Transmissions include a ZF-sourced seven-speed PDK, six-speed manual, and Aisin-sourced eight-speed automatic. The Panamera S Hybrid was first unveiled in 2011, and has a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 mated to a single electric motor for a combined output of 375 horsepower.

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