Porsche took several examples of the Panamera Sport
Turismo and Turbo S E-Hybrid to British Columbia, Canada, for their
international press launch.
This is where more than 300 automotive journalists,
from 47 countries, had the chance to push them hard, over the course of two
weeks, in the contrasting landscape that includes endless miles of coastline,
spectacular views of the Rockies and Coast Mountains, and urban cityscape that
shapes Victoria and Vancouver.
The most practical version of the Porsche Panamera,
which in our humble opinion also happens to be the best looking one, debuted
earlier this year at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Named the Panamera Sport
Turismo, it features a shooting brake-style roofline, seating for five, and a
very generous boot space. Prices for the car start from US$ 96,200, but go for the
Turbo version and you will have to pay at least US$ 154,000.
The German automaker also had the powerful Panamera
Turbo S E-Hybrid available for the media representatives to sample on the
Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit. The PHEV combines a 4.0-liter twin-turbo
V8 engine with an electric motor that delivers a startling 671 hp and 850 Nm of torque.
Porsche's top plug-in hybrid can run the 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, almost as fast as the 911 GT3 RS, and matches its top
speed. It also does all this by returning an average of 81.1 US mpg (2.9 l/100
km / 97.4 UK mpg).
