Powered by the same 380-hp direct-injected 3.0-litre supercharged V-6 engine, currently featured by the on sale – Panamera S Hybrid, the eight-speed automatic will come equipped with a mains charger and the small nickel-metal hydride battery is replaced by a bigger lithium-ion unit.

The plug-in version of the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid will boast impressive acceleration figures of 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 167 mph. It can also drive on pure electricity for one mile at speeds of just over 50 mph. Fuel-economy wise, the Panamera S Hybrid currently averages a combined fuel-economy of 34.5 mpg.

Rudolf Krebs, Volkswagen Group chief officer for electric traction, recently confirmed the intentions of the company with regards to the manufacturing of hybrid vehicles, stating that: 'We are really convinced that the future of hybrids won't be pure hybrids, but instead plug-in hybrids.'

Added by: Luke Durkin 
New Media Editor