Car manufacturers are increasingly including hybrid models in their portfolios. Every time they update or bring out a new standard model they also tend to manufacture its plug-in version. High end vehicles are also at the forefront of hybrid technology. If your pocket is deep enough these are some of the most expensive hybrid models in the market.
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid
The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid can work on a regular internal combustion engine, an electric engine, or both simultaneously. Energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 10.8 kWh which can be recharged in approximately 2,7 h*. Under normal driving conditions it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and it can reach a top speed of 243 km/h. Driving exclusively on the electric engine it has a range of 13-38 km. and can reach a top speed of 125 km/h.
BMW i8
The BMW i8 is a plug-in sports hybrid with scissor doors and a 2+2 configuration. The propulsion motor is made of a 1.5-litre three cylinder 231 hp petrol engine that drives the rear and a 131 hp electric motor that drives the front: an all-wheel drive combining a total of 362 hp.
Mercedes Class C PHEV
The Mercedes Class C plug-in hybrid has a twin engine: having a 4 cylinder turbo engine with 1.991 cubic centimetres and 211 hp, as well as an 82 hp electric motor. Together they form its top power of 279 hp. The electric motor allows it to travel up to 31 km relying solely on electric power at a top speed of 130 km/h. Using it in a combined mixed driving mode it achieves an average consumption of 2,1l / 100km.
Audi Q7 e-Tron quattro
With a turbo diesel engine and a quattro all-wheel drive system, the Audi Q7 e-Tron quattro goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, with a top speed of 230 km/h and consumes 1.8 litres of diesel for every 100 km. Choosing between three driving modes: the “EV” mode, gives priority to the electric engine; the “hybrid” mode, where the intelligent hybrid management system takes over the power decisions and the “battery hold” mode, which saves the available electric energy to be used at a later time. Officially it reaches 56 kilometres of electric driving range.
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
The Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid has a 333 hp combustion engine as well as a 95 hp electric motor, giving a maximum combined 416 hp which catapults it to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds.
Volvo XC90 Twin Engine
The XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid has a 320 hp petrol engine which powers the front wheels combined with a second 82 hp electric engine that is in charge of the back axis, effectively making it an on demand 4×4. The top combined power is 407 hp and it has an electricity-only driving range of up to 40km. On top of that, its regenerative braking system makes it highly efficient in stop-and-go urban traffic.
Photos: official brands.
