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Porsche Mulls Full Range of Hybrids
Porsche AG is considering plug-in variants of all its models and will decide later this year whether to produce a plug-in version of its flagship 911 sports car, CEO Matthias Mueller tells Automotive News.
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Porsche AG is considering plug-in variants of all its models and will decide later this year whether to produce a plug-in version of its flagship 911 sports car, CEO Matthias Mueller tells Automotive News. He says the company could use the technology to achieve dual objectives of improving fuel efficiency and boosting power.
Mueller describes plug-in technology as "the solution for the nearer future." But the company continues to stress that all hybrid models must maintain the true sports car performance for which the brand is known.
Porsche currently offers plug-in versions of its Panamera sedan and Cayenne crossover vehicle as well as the 918 Spyder supercar, which is available only as a hybrid. About 10%-15% of Panamera sedan and Cayenne SUV sales in the U.S. are hybrid variants.
Mueller hints that a plug-in 911 could be the next hybrid in Porsche's stable, but notes that the program is still in the internal discussion stage. If approved, such a model likely wouldn't hit the streets until the next-generation 911 bows in 2018 or later.
The company has flirted with a hybrid version of the 911 several times in the past. It competed with the GT3 R Hybrid race car in several endurance events during the 2011 season.
Porsche doesn't yet offer hybrid versions of its Boxster and Cayman sports cars or Macan small crossover. The company also reportedly is planning battery and fuel cell-powered versions of its upcoming "Pajun" midsize sedan.
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