Thursday, August 2, 2007

Porsche Range of Hybrid Vehicles Soon to be the Fastest in the World

By Evander Klum
News from GoAutonews states that the Panamera which is a four-door Porsche sedan is going to be produced with a range of engines that will include a V10 model and a hybrid version that employs the same drivetrain as the Cayenne hybrid. The Panamera is said to have the potential of becoming the fastest hybrid in the world.

By 2009 it is expected that the V10, V6, and V8 versions of the Panamera are to be released followed by hybrid versions after two years. The hybrid will make use of Cayenne’s 34kW electric motor driving via the standard six-speed Tiptronic transmission. Top speed is obtained through the use of the so-called parallel system of Porsche that involves an electric motor placed in between the petrol engine and the transmission that boost stability and provide the benefits derived from power split systems that are commonly employed by other automakers in transferring a fixed amount of torque by way of the electrical path while limiting the top speed so as to match the capability of the electric motor.

The four-door, four-seat Panamera will roundup Porsche’s planned quartet which will be comprised of the 911, Cayenne, Boxster/Cayman and of course the Panamera. After the launching of the fourth series, Porsche will introduce a sports coupe from the premium class and will be regarded as a genuine Porsche in performance, exclusivity and sporting spirit.

GoAutonews has also predicted that Porsche might reveal the Panamera at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

More news on Porsche Hybrids… Porsche the producer of Porsche catalytic converter has recently confirmed that its engineers are working to achieve 26 mpg from the full hybrid system that will be installed in the upcoming hybrid version of the Cayenne.

The German sports car maker has already released pictures of the Cayenne Hybrid as its way of arousing interest for the vehicle before its formal launch scheduled at the end of the decade.

The automaker is also targeting an average fuel consumption of around 24 mpg in the US and further stated that "future developments may allow Porsche engineers to push towards an average fuel consumption figure of approximately 26 miles per gallon."

Porsche has also explained that the Cayenne Hybrid will be given a full-hybrid design "where the hybrid module [clutch and electric motor] is positioned between the combustion engine and the transmission rather than having the hybrid drivetrain branching output along various lines and in various directions via a planetary gearset." This particular design is employed since it perfectly suits the current platform of the Cayenne. It also improves acceleration as well as engine flexibility.

The power steering together with other auto components such as vacuum pump for both brakes and air-conditioning are powered by electricity which further lowers down fuel consumption. In addition, the electrohydraulic steering which is fitted in the Cayenne Hybrid is said to be a first of its kind used for vehicles.

Porsche has also announced its plans of creating a similar hybrid technology in a version of its Panamera four-door Gran Turismo probably at the end of the decade.

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