The Porsche faithful had pitchforks and torches in hand when the Panamera debuted, but after a few model years they have come to realize that it is a necessary evil to keep awesome cars like the 911 GT3 and the 918 Spyder in production. Redesigned in 2016, the sedan now sports a revised exterior with 911-inspired cues, a redesigned interior with updated technologies, and more powerful engines. The second-generation also brought a new hybrid model, with a more powerful and efficient drivetrain, into showrooms.

Spied testing in 2015, the new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid was unveiled ahead of the 2016 Paris Motor Show and will cross the pond to the U.S. in mid-2017. Once it arrives here, North American drivers will gain access to the fastest and most powerful luxury hybrid on the market and the sportiest looking Panamera to date. Essentially a four-door 911 with a V-6 and an electric motor under the hood, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid has evolved to the point that it can give most Tesla Model S variants a run for their money.

The new Panamera hybrid essentially marks the beginning of a new era, one in which hybrid, efficient drivetrains, luxury features, and sporty designs can be had under the same roof. Keep reading to find out what makes Porsche's new four-door hybrid special.

Updated 10/03/2016: We added a series of images taken during the car's official debut at the 2016 Paris Auto Show.

Continue reading to learn more about the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid.

Exterior

Much like the outgoing model, the new 4 E-Hybrid is nearly identical to the standard Panamera, with only the "e-hybrid" badges on the front fenders setting it apart. Everything else is identical to that of the non-hybrid Panamera, starting with the sportier front fascia with its lowered nose and more 911-like cues. The front door features more prominent creases, while the redesigned C-pillar and quarter windows also contribute to the new look.

More changes are visible at the rear, where the Panamera showcases a larger, more squared-off hatch, sleek, 911-based taillights, and a beefier bumper. More importantly, it has a new spoiler that larger, sharper, and provides more downforce by popping out and extending toward the sides.

As far as dimensions go, the new Panamera is 198.78 inches long, 76.26 inches wide, and 56.02 inches tall, which makes it 1.34 inches longer, 0.23 inches wider, and 0.19 inches taller than its predecessor. The wheelbase measures 116.14 inches, being 1.18 inches longer than before.

Side-by-side comparison

Interior

Inside, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid stands out by means of hybrid-specific displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster. The two seven-inch screens flanking the analog tachometer feature bespoke power meters for hybrid operation. The new display function is similar to that used in the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar and provides data such as the amount of electrical energy being used, as well as the amount recovered through the sedan's regeneration systems.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen in the center dashboard also provides the driver with access to various items of hybrid-specific information. For instance, there's a boost assistant that shows the energy available for boosting and a hybrid assistant that emits various visual signals for regulating the electrical drive power.

The rest of the cabin carries over from the non-hybrid model, which has been fully redesigned for the new generation. Highlights include a clean-looking dashboard, a wide, sloping center stack, and a sporty steering wheel based on that of the 918 Spyder. The door panels now feature a larger storage area, while the center console includes two cup holders instead of one. The front and rear seats have also been revised, and even though that's not very evident at first glance, they're more comfortable to sit in. Rear legroom, head, and shoulder room is more generous thanks to better interior packaging and the slightly longer wheelbase.

Side-by-side comparison

Side-by-side comparison

Drivetrain

This is where the Panamera S E-Hybrid really stands out compared to its siblings, combining a twin-turbo, 2.9-liter, V-6 engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The combo has received significant updates compared to the previous model, delivering not only more power and torque, but improved performance and economy too.

Specifically, the hybrid drivetrain cranks out 462 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, a 52-hosepower and 81 pound-foot increase. While the V-6 is rated at 330 horses and 331 pound-feet, only six pound-feet more than the previous 3.0-liter V-6, the electric motor now generates 136 horsepower and 295 pound-feet, up from only 95 horses and 229 pound-feet.

The extra oomph enables the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid to hit 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds, more than a half-second quicker, while top speed is increased from 168 to 172 mph. What's more, the sedan can cover 31 miles on electricity alone, while reaching a top speed of 86 mph. The outgoing model was rated at only 20 miles and 84 mph, respectively.

But, the new hybrid system is about more than just enhanced output. The power of the electric motor is now made available as soon as the driver touches the accelerator pedal -- on the previous model, the pedal needed to be pressed at least 80 percent of the way down. The hybrid module is also new, with the decoupler being actuated electromechanically by an electric clutch actuator versus the previous electro-hydraulic system. This results in even shorter response times.

The transmission is the same eight-speed PDK introduced with the new-generation Panamera, meaning the sedan benefits from quicker and more efficient shifting.

The new liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery also received an increase in energy content -- from 9.4 to 14.1 kWh -- but despite the significant upgrade, its weight has remained the same. Charging it to full capacity takes only 12 hours via a common 120 V, 10 amp connection. However, if the optional 7.2 kW on-board charger is utilized instead of the standard 3.6 kW unit, the charging times decrease to under three hours with a 240V, 40 amp connection.

Driving modes now include "E-Power," "Hybrid Auto," "E-Hold," and "E-Charge." The car always starts in "E-Power," which puts the powertrain in pure electric mode. The "Hybrid Auto" mode is completely new and adjusts the internal combustion and electric mode drive sources automatically for ultimate efficiency. The "E-Hold" mode allows drivers to conserve the current state of charge of the lithium-ion battery for later use. In "E-Charge" mode, the battery is charged by the V-6 engine, which generates a higher level of power than is needed for driving.

For performance-oriented driving, the Panamera Hybrid can also be used in "Sport" and "Sport Plus" modes, with both activating the V-6 engine. In "Sport" mode, the battery charge is maintained at a level that provides sufficient e-boost capability when needed, while "Sport Plus" mode delivers maximum performance and allows the sedan to reach its top speed.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

Set to become available in North America by the summer of 2017, the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will get pricing information closer to its U.S. launch date. Expect the four-door hybrid to fetch more than $100,000 before options.

Competition

BMW 5 Series

Although there are plenty of hybrid vehicles to choose from nowadays, the midsize premium market has doesn't offer that many options. One alternative to the Panamera is the BMW ActiveHybrid 5, but choosing the Bimmer means you'll have to settle for less power and inferior performance and fuel economy. Powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and an electric motor, the ActiveHybrid5 comes with 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. Not only less powerful, the Bimmer is also slower, needing 5.9 seconds to hit 60 mph on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. The sedan also significantly slower in electric mode with a top speed of around 45 mph. On the other hand, it is more affordable than the Panamera S E-Hybrid, retailing from $62,100 in the U.S.

Find out more about the BMW 5 Series here.

Tesla Model S

Granted, it runs on batteries only, which makes it far more efficient than the Panamera, but when it comes to performance, the Model S is the only option that can match the German sedan. The Model S comes with many battery options, starting with the 60 kWh model. However, the 90D variant with all-wheel-drive is right up the Panamera's alley thanks to its 518 horsepower, 485 pound-feet of torque, and 4.2-second 0-to-60 sprint. On top of being more efficient than the Panamera by using no fossil fuel whatsoever, the 90D is also more affordable at $89,500. Of course, customers can opt for the more powerful P90D or the range-topping P100DL, but in this case pricing increases to $112,000 and $134,500, respectively.

Read more about the Tesla Model S here.

Conclusion

While it received a nice update inside and out, in typical Porsche fashion the new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid is far from revolutionary. But it definitely looks better by design and its drivetrain is the most potent yet of all hybrids available. In fact, it's powerful enough to compete with the Tesla Model S 90D and, even though it won't match the EV's efficiency, it trumps everything you can buy from BMW and Mercedes-Benz that has four doors and a hybrid drivetrain. When we drove the previous S E-Hybrid back in 2014, we found out it featured an impressive collection of forward thinking technology, sporty handling, and respectable EV performance. The new sedan boasts improvements in just about any department, which makes it the perfect choice if you're in the market for a high-performance hybrid. Given you can afford the pricy sticker, that is!

Update History

Updated 09/12/2016: Porsche dropped a new video featuring the company's works driver Brendon Hartley behind the wheel of the new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. Hit "play" to watch how the hybrid sedan behaves on the racetrack.

Spy Shots

May 8, 2015 - Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid during some hot weather testing in Southern Europe