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Porsche was the first sports-car company to roll out mass-production petrol-electric cars, starting with the Panamera S Hybrid in 2011.
Next year, it will be the first in its segment to launch a full-electric model, the Taycan. And by 2025, half of the hybrid cars will be hybrid or electric models.
All of these were unknown to me before I attended Porsche's E-Performance Nights.
Held on Oct 8 and 9, the program started with Porsche whisking guests to the Sepang track in a Panamera 4 E-Hybrid convoy.
Kuala Lumpur's evening peak traffic – The Hybrid Panamera between motor and battery, with battery recuperation in between.
At the track, the rare 918 Spyder – a hybrid supercar – beckoned. We could not drive it, though. Instead, we were offered hot laps with Porsche driver Matthias Hoffsummer at the helm.
In the evening, the car hit 272km on the long straight – despite a light drizzle.
With a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter petrol engine that delivers 887bhp, the 918 Spyder is devastating. Yet, Porsche claims it has a pure electric range of up to 31km – enough for a trip to Johor Bahru from Tampines.
After two laps in the 918 Spyder, it was time to get behind the wheel of the Cayenne E-Hybrid.
To test its electric capabilities, I drove the Cayenne through a slalom race using only the electric motors.
I was shown how to step on the accelerator lightly, so did not to activate the gas engine.
Even in electric mode, the car did not feel underpowered. The 462hp sport utility vehicle was also nimble around the race, which was also found on the 918 Spyder.
Finally, it was my turn to burn some rubber on the track.
I got into one of the awaiting Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid Sport Turismo cars.
This was my first time in Sepang at night and I must say the feeling was surreal.
Cones were given to indicate the racing and braking lines. Driving behind a Porsche instructor also made it easier to push the Panamera 680hp.
Hitting 200kmh on the straight forward and hard to get in touch with the 850Nm of torque, the sports saloon felt at home on the track.
The car is fitted with a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine paired with an electric motor powered by a 14kWh battery. It displayed typical Porsche driving dynamics, combined with high efficiency and boost function (like in the 918 Spyder).
I have driven in Sepang many times. But doing so in petrolelectric hybrid Porsches and being in the passenger seat of the rarefied 918 Spyder changed everything.
Sepang will never be the same for me.
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