German luxury carmaker, Porsche, expects around half of all sales of its new four-door saloon, the Panamera, will be bought by corporate customers.

Bosses at Porsche are also promising impressive cuts in fuel economy and tailpipe emissions when a hybrid version of the Panamera goes on sale in 2011 or 2012.

The full hybrid with an electric-drive-only mode for low-speed urban use should account for up to 15% of total model sales, said Porsche.

Dr Michael Steiner, product line director, said the company’s first hybrid would be the Cayenne, due next year or early in 2011.

“A year later the hybrid technology will go into the Panamera.

"It will not be exactly the same because we always try to make developments, but the two cars will share some technology,” he said.

The eco-powertrain will use a turbocharged V6 petrol engine but a decision on the battery has yet to be taken.

“We will use nickel metal hydride in the Cayenne, but that doesn’t mean we definitely will for the Panamera.

"It will depend on the cost, quality and efficiency at the time.”

Steiner said the result would be a 20% drop in fuel use and emissions compared to the 300bhp 3.6-litre V6 Panamera.

That’s due on sale next summer, as the baby brother to the 4.8-litre that’s launched this month.

Steiner wouldn’t be drawn on whether customers would have to pay extra for the hybrid.

“If you look at the market now, people pay a premium for a hybrid.

"But we do not know if that is still going to be the case in 2-3 years’ time.

"The last thing we will decide on is the price,” he explained.

Porsche currently has no plans for a diesel Panamera, but Steiner stressed it would be launched after the hybrid if it did happen.