Porsche plans to introduce Panamera EV to compete with AMG EQS, Lucid Air

After successfully launching the all-electric Taycan, Porsche is ready to take another giant step into the EV market. The German automaker plans to introduce its Porsche Panamera EV, a full-size luxury car, as part of its plans to speed up its electric transition.

Porsche released the all-electric Taycan in 2019, and the feedback has been impressive so far. In 2021, Porsche sold over 300,000 vehicles, with 41,296 being the Taycan. In fact, the EV sold more than the automaker’s legendary Porsche 911 last year.

The success has carried over to this year, with Porsche delivering 18,900 all-electric Taycans in the first half of 2022.

On the heels of its success, Porsche is accelerating its EV strategy. Porsche aims for 50% of vehicle sales to come from electric vehicles (including hybrids) by 2025. But, by 2030, the automaker wants 80% of total new vehicle sales to be electric.

To achieve its goal, Porsche plans to introduce several new electric models, such as the beloved Macan, its second best-selling SUV.

According to a report, Porsche is expected to start production of the Macan EV before the end of 2023. More importantly, the automaker plans to produce the electric Macan at the same output as its gas-powered counterpart, which amounts to over 80,000 annually.

With Oliver Blume, Porsche’s CEO, taking over as CEO of Volkswagen, will it help speed up Porsche’s EV transition? A new report claims Porsche plans to release an electric Panamera alongside an updated Porsche Taycan EV.

Porsche Panamera joining automakers EV portfolio

According to a new report from Autocar UK, Porsche will release both the new Panamera EV and electric Taycan on Volkswagen’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which VW will use for its electric vehicles after 2026.

Porsche is developing its own SSP sport structure on top of this to support “Porsche-specific models.” The sports platform gives a high-performance feel with a low cabin floor, which also helps lower the center of gravity.

Although the Porsche Panamera is not set to arrive for a few years, here’s what we know so far:

• VW’s SSP platform is set to arrive in 2026, and Porsche’s sports platform is due in 2027.
• Though Porsche has yet to confirm, suggestions point to a more extended wheelbase such as the Panamera sold in China. If this is the case, the Porsche Panamera EV will compete with the upcoming Mercedes AMG EQS 53 and Lucid Air.
• The Porsche Taycan has a wheelbase of 2900mm and is 4963mm long. The Panamera will likely be longer than this. In China, the Panamera has a wheelbase of 3100MM and is 5199MM long, which will be a closer match.

Porsche’s transition will be critical over the next few years, with several automakers introducing high-performance luxury EVs. Porsche and new VW CEO Oliver Blume said:

We’re targeting higher-margin segments in particular and aim to tap into new sales opportunities in this way.

Similar to how Porsche is releasing different trims and styles for the Taycan, the german automaker plans to do the same with the Panamera EV.

Electrek’s Take

There’s a reason Porsche is targeting the premium EV market: They’re selling. For example, in China, EV makers like Nio are taking market share from luxury automakers, which has been previously impenetrable.

Chinese auto giant BYD is also reportedly considering launching a high-end premium EV. If Porsche can continue its success with the Taycan EV, it should have no issue keeping up.

Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.