Porsche is celebrating the world premiere of the second generation of Gran Turismo models at the ongoing Auto Shanghai show in China.

The centerpiece of Porsche's lineup at this year's show is the new Panamera S E-Hybrid, the world's first plug-in hybrid in the luxury class.

Also making a debut are three luxurious executive versions that feature a longer wheelbase - the Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo. The Panamera S Executive and Panamera 4S Executive are powered by a 3-liter V6 bi-turbo engine that enables the models to reach new heights of performance, according to the company.

"The Porsche Panamera and China - That is a very special success story. Exactly four years ago, we introduced the first Panamera to a world audience here in Shanghai," said Matthias Mueller, chairman of the Board of Porsche AG.

The decision to premiere the model in Shanghai was a strategic move by the company "because it was clear to us that our Gran Turismo would be precisely the right model for this future market", Mueller said.

"And we were not mistaken. In 2012, one out of three Panamera cars were delivered to China. And Panamera contributed almost 30 percent of Porsche's China sales, with 9,148 units delivered to Chinese customers."

Since then, China has grown in importance, becoming the second-largest Porsche market in the world and the largest for its Cayenne and Panamera models.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid is a systematically advanced development of the parallel full hybrid, which Porsche introduced to the market as a pioneer in the field. With 416 horsepower, the ability to accelerate from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h, it is a Porsche Gran Turismo through and through, Mueller said.

What distinguishes the model from competitors is its unique efficiency and ability to drive considerable distances in all-electric mode, he said.

In the New European Driving Cycle, the Panamera S E-Hybrid consumes 3.1 L/100 km, which is equal to 71 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. The all-electric driving range of the Panamera S E-Hybrid was determined to be 36 kilometers in the NEDC, and its top speed in electric driving is an unrivalled 135 km/h.

The electricity is stored in a newly developed lithium-ion battery with a 9.4 kilowatt-hour energy capacity. Depending on the type of external electrical supply, the battery may be fully charged within as little as a few hours, and the battery is recharged by electrical system recuperation while driving.

The forward-looking concept of the Panamera S E-Hybrid also includes a completely new range of convenience functions that can be activated and accessed by a smartphone app.

In a second world premiere, Mueller presented the Executive models of the Panamera, which have a wheelbase that is 15 centimeters longer than standard models, creating more leg room behind the front seats.

Panamera S Executive, Panamera 4S Executive and Panamera Turbo Executive offer a very extensive set of features, and the standard rear seats already allow for exceptional comfort. All Executive models have the innovative Panamera air suspension, which combines excellent ride comfort with typical Porsche handling properties. Never before have luxury and comfort been so closely associated with such sporty driving performance.

Representing another step toward increasing performance and efficiency is the completely reengineered V6 bi-turbo engine with 3 L of engine displacement, which replaces the V8 engine of the Panamera S and the Panamera 4S in the new Gran Turismo.

The engine's statistics are indicators of progress - 20 horsepower of additional power and 20 Newton meters of additional torque coupled with up to 18 percent improved fuel economy compared to the V8 engine in the previous model.

The new Panamera underscores its exceptional positioning with an even more expressive design language in the style of the new generation of Porsche sports cars, which are marked by tauter lines, more-powerful contours and newly designed body elements.

Finally, the 911, Boxster and Cayman model series have become increasingly popular in China as well. This positive trend will now be further reinforced by intensive motor sport involvement by Porsche in Asia.

In this context, Mueller presented two racecars on the evening before the auto show. Along with the historic 936, one of the most successful race cars in the world, he introduced the new Porsche 911 RSR, which is the fastest 911 ever. At the beginning of November, the Porsche 911 RSR will compete in the Six-Hour Race in Shanghai.

lifangfang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/25/2013 page12)