Porsche raises the pitch on plug-in hybrids

Dubai: Porsche’s convinced… and it’s out to convince the rest of us. More than any other carmaker in the region, Porsche is not just doing the talking on hybrid alternatives but actually finding buyers in the Middle East for the models.

“Anybody can build a fast car, but its needs a lot of knowhow on a manufacturer’s part to deliver even better performance alongside,” said Christer Ekberg, managing director of Porsche Middle East and Africa. “It’s a step by step approach and our effort on plug-in hybrids is part of that. We want to build high-performance cars that offer no compromises on fuel efficiency.

“It would be a mistake to imagine that only certain territories such as Europe would be open to alternative formats. In our view, the Middle East automotive market can prove to be just as receptive in the long run.

“I am sure there are drivers who want to make a trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi where part of the run is in all-electric mode and then the switch is done to petrol, at which time the battery starts getting charged.”

Porsche’s push is crystallised around the Panamera S E-Hybrid. At 416-hp, it can do the acceleration from 0- to 100-kmh in 5.5 seconds and touch a top knot of 270-kmh. The all-electric mode has a range of up to 36 kilometres and a top speed of 135-kmh. Clearly, what Porsche’s out to prove is that performance is not an after thought when carmakers expound the virtues of hybrids.

And it’s not going to be a one-model strategy. First units of the plug-in hybrid ‘super sportscar’, the 918 Spyder, are to be delivered to Middle East customers next year.

Interestingly, only the prestige carmakers have so far made the effort to provide options to fossil fuels. By and large, volume manufacturers have left it to the authorities to first provide the necessary platform before they commit to offering hybrid versions.

On its fossil fuel powered machines, Porsche sale in the region is in overdrive. The Cayenne SUV goes from strength to strength and will soon have the Macan — set for a launch at the upcoming Los Angeles Motor Show — to take care of prospects in the luxury mini-SUV category. First units are to ship out next year.