The new four-seater Porsche uses a 3.0-litre V6 engine teamed with a newly developed lithium-ion battery and electric motor to offer official economy and CO2 figures of 91mpg and 71g/km respectively.

As well as qualifying for the full £5k Plug-in Car Grant, the plug-in hybrid’s ultra-low emissions also mean it qualifies for a Benefit-in-Kind rating of 5%, a 100% first-year allowance, exemption from the vehicle excise duty and the first tax disc as well as exemption from the London Congestion Charge.

The Panamera S E-Hybrid can reach speeds of up to 84mph in all-electric operation, and the acceleration time from 0-62 mph has been shortened by half a second to 5.5 seconds. The car is capable of running purely on electric power for emission-free driving and zero petrol consumption for up to 22 miles (subject to driving style and conditions).

The rechargeable electric drive produces 70 kW – is more than double the power of the previous Panamera Hybrid 34 kW electric motor. Using an industrial outlet, it can be charged within around two and a half hours via the integrated on-board charger and the standard Porsche Universal Charger (AC). It can be charged in less than four hours when connected to a conventional household electrical outlet.

The Porsche plug-in hybrid technology is also being utilised for the 918 Spyder, which is now on sale with first deliveries in the UK next year and bears the distinction of being the fastest road-going Porsche to date as well as the Porsche with the lowest emissions.

Porsche also says further plug-in hybrid developments are on the cards.