During our visit to Leith Porsche, we discovered how so many people came to pronounce it “Porsh”. The exhilarating acceleration of these cars makes you breathless, and the “ah” sound is whisked away quicker than the cars that once idled in the neighboring lane at the stop light. Before we go on, let us clarify that this description doesn’t fit only the Boxster, every model we drove off the lot performed with Autobahn-readiness.
2014 Panamera S e-Hybrid
Okay, don’t panic. We had the same thought: a hybrid Porsche? It must be some diluted version of a sports car lucky enough to boast the iconic branding of German precision. Wrong. This sedan-in-name-only balks at glacial rush hour speeds and sates itself by devouring the road with a 3.0-liter V6 engine that generates 416 horsepower and 435 ft-lbs. of torque.
The e-Hybrid simply helps you leave others “in the dust” with greater fuel efficiency. In fact, we were able to reach 74 MPH purely with the electric motor and uncompromised acceleration. A complex drivetrain affords you the discretion to utilize the electric motor and engine as a pair or individually.
… More on that later…
Upon first approach of the Panamera S e-Hybrid, there is no distinction between it and the pure-gas Panamera S models. Bulky curves, a sleek roof, a broad base, and an expertly designed rear diffuser are enough to allow “hybrid” to float into the ether of your memory, rendering it an irrelevant descriptor.
As writers, we were immediately struck by the color scheme of a green that appeared in multiple places – almost like a subtle theme as that found in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Each of us will deduce our own interpretation of what it may signify.
The neon green appears as an outline on the exterior branding, on the calipers, on the analog clock’s arms, and on the meters’ needles. We won’t corrupt your thoughts by injecting ours, but we’ll ask you to think on it.
At the rear of the car, there is a hatch that opens with ease and closes with the mere push of a button. The Panamera S e-Hybrid we took for a test drive just arrived, so it still had the boxed-up charging station and bag of “goodies” for its eventual owner. It is here, near the hatch, that you can find two ports: one on the left for electric charging; one on the right for gas fuel. As you walk around the hatch, be sure to furtively glance – don’t want to appear too excited – at the exhaust pipes that will soon roar a beautiful note for you.
Now it’s time to get behind the wheel.
You approach the door and open it. Much to your surprise, it stops in the exact spot you released it and doesn’t swing back on you. That is thanks to German engineering, creating magnetic doors that can be placed into any position. In the finely manufactured leather bucket seat, you close the door beside you. It sounds as solid as the interior looks. The cabin is as sculpted as the exterior with curves and angles that are as athletic as the car’s performance. Each piece is solid, including the steering wheel, dash, and pedals. Everything about this car speaks to its engine’s strength, like the active musculature of a Pitbull.
The plush driver’s seat has three memory presents, which save your seat, steering wheel, and side-view mirror adjustments, as well as radio stations. Your front-passenger may also save three settings for seating preferences. In the rear of the cabin, extra passengers enjoy tremendous spaciousness in both length and width of the vehicle. A wide center armrest provides ample space. Deep set, narrow windows lend an almost aeronautic feel.
As your eye scans the captivating landscape of the interior, it absorbs the gorgeous black and silver trim that covers the dashboard, center console, and bevy of controls throughout the cabin. A shallow design of the dash puts you closer to “the action” for a feeling of absolute control. The adjustable steering wheel is home to paddle shifters in case you decide to find a track or enjoy more spirited driving.
In the driving cluster, amid the standard meters and gauges, there is a rounded screen that displays trip information, fuel consumption, navigation, and infotainment controls. This may be manipulated through a miniscule wheel embedded into the steering wheel. That screen may be utilized if you don’t care to look at the incredibly crisp touchscreen LCD display in the center of the dashboard.
Remember when we wrote “… More on that later…” about the engine?
Turn the key to wake the Panamera S e-Hybrid from its slumber. It growls, ready to feast on asphalt.
There is a multitude of factors that contribute to this car’s superior handling. Perfectly executed design in the frame, including a generous rear diffuser, provides downforce that grips the road with unmatched strength. Through twists and turns, and an enticing round-a-bout, the Panamera S e-Hybrid deftly capered like an artful ballroom dancer. Not a single body roll disrupted the pleasure of driving this car.
The robust suspension intimates no imperfections of the road, creating a perfectly tranquil cabin. Only the throaty timbre of the exhaust overwhelms the light, whispery air slicing over the car. A gentle brush of the accelerator melts the dashed lane markings into a continuous white line. Cresting and rounding the small hills on our path washes sunlight across the dash, and we chased after it each time it faded. As we turned into the dealership, our arms suddenly felt heavy – a precursor to the pangs of disappointment. Hands still clutched tenaciously to the steering wheel, it felt wrong to let the experience end.
We want to thank Robert Brooks, our congenial Porsche Brand Ambassador, for the time and effort he spent in showing us the capabilities of the 2014 Porsche Panamera S e-Hybrid. He provided thorough explanations of the vehicle and engaged us in beneficial conversation, but he also sat silently for us to focus on the experience. It was an exhilarating test drive, and we have a greater understanding of the enthusiasm people, like Robert, possess for this brand. It would be a disservice to yourself if you did not stop by Leith Porsche in Cary to live what we’ve so passionately written.
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