The 2012 Paris Motor Show is about to get into full swing, and Porsche highlights this year’s show with the elegant and aggressive Panamera Sport Turismo concept. This design takes the current production Panamera to another level. The front is more aggressive than the production car, and the designers did wonders to the back-end. I think it looks a 100 times better. The shape is a little taller with more of an SUV or crossover feel. It looks like rear seat headroom and trunk capacity is improved.
Did I mention that this concept is a plug-in Hybrid that Porsche call e-Hybrid. The Sport Turismo is using a combination of a 95 horsepower electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack, and a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 (rated at 333 horses) to launch the car to 60 mph in under 6 seconds.  This power train also delivers European Combined efficiency of 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers or 67 MPG US equivalent (however, this is not the same as the EPA rating).
Perhaps, even more impressive is that the electric system allows for maximum speed of 80 mph in all electric mode. And a total electric only range of 18.6 miles. Porsche also claims that a full recharge takes up to 2.5 hours.
I think Porsche should definitely translate this concept into a 2014 or later production Panamera. And I really hope that this translation does not loose any of the show stopping presence of the concept.
Please enjoy our video test of the 2012 Porsche Carrera S:
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Gallery:
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, and software engineer. On the weekends – you may find him at a car show, an auction, watching a race, or tinkering with a car in the garage. When not working or spending time with the family – he often scours the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.
