Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid not only features an elegant but sporty figure, but it is also the most powerful member of the Panamera family.

The car boasts a nice and smooth ride, but it can also pack a mighty punch when needed, thanks to an output of 500 kW and 850 NM of torque.

The new Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid does have the ability to go 310 km/h, but one does not feel the need to do that while driving it. Instead, it is a lot more appealing to take the world’s fastest hybrid sedan on a silent, zero emissions trip around the block.

Buyers have the choice of 6 different driving and hybrid modes. This new, more powerful version is powered by a 100 kW electric motor and a 404 kW twin-turbo V8 unit.

Want to see this Porsche in power? First, you set the mode selection to “sport plus”. Then engage the brakes - the car dashes to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds.

Clearly this Porsche was not designed to fly around as a fuel saving environmental angel.

It’s part of Porsche’s strategy of pushing the limits of electric power-trains in the interest of their evolution. The long term objective is improving energy efficiency and performance.

The convenient Hybrid button, allows you to choose between ‘sporty’, ‘all-electric’ and ‘hybrid’.

You can also charge the battery while driving. This feature could be extremely useful in the future if combustion engines are ever banned because you can always replenish your range.

In e-power mode, the S E-Hybrid can run on electricity only for 50 km with zero emissions.

Then, there is the new Hybrid Auto mode, which switches and combines power sources automatically to maximize efficiency.

Despite the additional e-technology that is packed into the body, the Hybrid Panamera boasts more cargo space than a fair few other Porsche models.

When it comes to the interior, the analog tachometer is still present as a tribute to the Porsche 356. Other than that, the various indicators have been replaced all around the car with high resolution displays.

The battery, together with its housing, weighs around 300 kilos and charging it via a household socket takes around six hours.

The electric motor improves efficiency but also provides extra power. In a sense it delivers an additional turbo-like boost when accelerating.

At speeds of 90 km/h and more, or at the touch of a button, the body-coloured rear spoiler engages to increase the down force in order to improve handling.

A quick shifting Porsche dual clutch transmission with eight gears transfers the power to the standard fitted active All-Wheel drive system.

What we find most impressive is the acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in just 2.2 seconds.

The price is similarly spectacular, starting at 186,000 euros.

The Turbo S E Hybrid is practically a transitional model to what will be Porsche’s most important vehicle in the near future.

Coming out next year, the new 4-seater, Mission E, is set to be an all electric vehicle that is capable of charging up to 80 percent of battery capacity in under 15 minutes. It will come with an output of more than 440 kW and a range of over 500 km.

This content has been published in partnership with Deutsche Welle (DW).