Double victory for Porsche at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum
ATLANTA May 23, 2011 Shortly before its launch, the new Porsche Panamera S Hybrid has scored a sensational success. With its parallel full hybrid drive system it has won the Intercity Rally at the eleventh Michelin Challenge Bibendum an international forum for sustainable mobility staged this year in Berlin. Second place was taken by a 911 Carrera with a conventional combustion engine, proving in the process that Porsche models are fundamentally efficient vehicles.
The two Porsche models were competing against 14 other contestants in the combustion engine driven production vehicle category of the 300 kilometers or so long Intercity Rally. This category judges both vehicles with conventional diesel and petrol engines as well as hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. Acceleration and lap times on a handling course were measured as well as fuel consumption. There were also a number of regularity tests during the 300 kilometer (186 miles) rally south west of Berlin.
With CO2 emissions of 159 g/km the 380 hp Panamera S Hybrid boasts the lowest emissions of any model in the entire Porsche range. That equates to fuel consumption of 6.8 l/100 km based on the NEDC. These values are achieved with optimized rolling resistance Michelin tires, available as an option. But even with the standard tires, the new Porsche hybrid models fuel consumption is at an unprecedentedly low level in this class at 7.1 l/100 km based on the NEDC.
The double victory by the two Porsche models is proof that the optimum blend of efficiency and driving dynamics is capable of winning even a competition based on sustainability criteria.
About Porsche Cars North America
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga. is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera Gran Turismo. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 196 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brands 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsches proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.