Porsche Panamera to achieve 91mpg

The Panamera, Porsche's take on the four-door supercar, is to become an unlikely eco-hero thanks to the addition of a new hybrid model.

Proving that the usually mutually exclusive facets of performance and economy can be enjoyed together, the Panamera S E-Hybrid plug in (to give it its full name) boasts 410bhp and will crack 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, yet still returns an astonishing 91mpg in EU efficiency tests.

Even more astonishingly, particularly given the Panamera's 3.0-litre V6 engine, Porsche is claiming CO2 emissions of under 100g/km. Official figures have yet to be announced, but if accurate it would mean owners would pay zero road tax under the current rules.

All this eco-worthiness hasn't come at the expense of performance, either. A top speed of 167mph ranks the Panamera amongst the fastest four-doors money can buy.

Thanks to an enlarged battery pack over the outgoing Panamera hybrid, the S E-hybrid is capable of 83mph and will travel between 11-22 miles on electric power alone.

Along with changes under the skin, the entire Panamera model range has benefitted from a facelift to keep it looking fresh, with smoother rear styling and optional full LED headlights at the front.

The Panamera S E-hybrid will be unveiled at the Shanghai motor show in April