Porsche rules out EV this decade

Porsche will sell a record 200,000 vehicles this year, achieving its 2018 sales target three years early thanks to the all-new Macan, demand for which exceeds supply with 45,000 sold in its first year.

For that reason Porsche is in no hurry to release its third plug-in hybrid model, the Macan S E-Hybrid, which will be powered by the same six-cylinder plug-in petrol-electric powertrain as the Cayenne and Panamera PHEVs.

It's also why Porsche isn't rushing into a seventh model line, in addition to the mid-engined Boxster/Cayman, rear-engined 911, front-engined Panamera sedan, the mid-size Macan and full-size Cayenne SUVs and the limited-edition 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar (pictured).

Porsche has ruled out a smaller sports car than the Boxster and Cayman, but is known to be investigating both a new supercar to rival Ferrari, which would slot between the 911 and 918, and a smaller sedan than the Panamera, which has been dubbed 'Pajun' and would rival the likes of BMW's 5 Series and the Maserati Ghibli.

But with record sales, its factories at maximum capacity and a series of new models due over the next year or so (including a facelifted 911 range later this year and facelifted – and four-cylinder -- Boxster and Cayman models next year, followed by a redesigned Panamera), the message is 'don't hold your breath'.

"Bank on the fact we've got a few good ideas up our sleeves," said Porsche AG chairman Matthias Muller. "But every concept has to be rigorously tested. What are the market prospects? Does the concept fit with the core values of Porsche and our existing product range?

"Will we reach new customers with the planned model without unsettling long-time Porsche enthusiasts? We have to sort out all these questions before a decision is made.

"We don't look at market segments that don't fit with the Porsche brand. We will continue to focus exclusively on what we do best: the development, production and sale of highly emotional premium sports cars with which we can thrill our customer around the world. They can rest assured: when the board gives the green light for a new vehicle project, the result will always be a true Porsche."

Porsche has made it clear it thinks plug-in hybrid is the solution to meeting near-term CO2 emissions targets, and to that end will release its first plug-in 911, based on the next-generation supercar due by 2020 and using technology from 918.

“Our board members have repeatedly said that we can use the same hybrid technology for the 911, but it's expensive, so it's just not going to happen next week, or even for the current model facelift, which we will reveal at this year’s Frankfurt motor show," said Thomas Becki, Director of Product and Technical Press.

"For the next generation, though, I would say that a 911 plug-in hybrid looks feasible."

The Stuttgart sports car has already doubled its sales of hybrid models, with the Cayenne S E-Hybrid and Panamera S E-Hybrid now accounting for more than 10 per cent of overall sales – up from less than five per cent with the superseded (non-plug-in) Cayenne Hybrid and Panamera Hybrid.

Porsche admits to having bought a Tesla Model S for research purposes and Muller has publicly praised the pioneering electric sedan, leading to reports that it will release its first pure-electric model in the form of a large plug-in sedan.

If the Pajun becomes Porsche's seventh model, chances are the large sports sedan will be made available with a development of the company's S E-Hybrid plug-in petrol-electric drivetrain.

But a senior executive this week told motoring.com.au that Porsche would not produce an all-electric model this decade, because current EV battery technology so far does not meet Porsche's performance and range requirements.

“Of course Porsche is looking at pure electric vehicles," said Becki.

"We’ve already done a pure electric Boxster a couple of years ago but that was a research vehicle. We don’t see that the current technology is where it needs to be to provide the typical Porsche feel and driver dynamic, as well as sufficient range in an all-electric setup.

“Our electric cars now are plug-in hybrids and they perform wonderfully. You get all the electric kick, emissions benefits and very good fuel economy considering the performance.

"So at Porsche, we believe the best electric car you can have today is a plug-in hybrid. That doesn’t mean we won’t do an all-electric car, but we don’t believe the technology is where it needs to be when it comes to a Porsche vehicle.

“Whist we admire Tesla’s Model S sedan, if we were to drive it at the permissible high speeds in Germany, say from Munich to Frankfurt, the advertised range of around 430km would likely be severely reduced and potentially not enough charge would be available for the round-trip commute.

“I think it’s going to be at least five years before EV technology is where it needs to be, at least for Porsche,” he said.