Contemplating first Porsche purchase and test drove CPO 2016 S E-hybrid. While with the salesperson discussing features, buttons, etc., the ignition kept spontaneously turning off and had to be restarted to explore further features. The salesperson has told me that it reflects a "power saving" feature of the car designed to minimize battery drainage and relates to whether the door is closed and whether the seatbelts are buckled. I want to believe him but can find no reference to such a "feature" in my online research. I'm concerned that there might be an electronic issue with the car. It has very low mileage. Anyone heard of this or can point me where to read about it?

 

If I understand your question correctly, that is normal behavior. If you leave the door open for more than 30 seconds the engine requires restarting (ignition off and then on again). Not sure this is a power saving feature, but a safety feature. Since the S eHybrid is silent (battery power) they dont want to have the car mistakenly running when someone is not in the drivers seat. My Cayenne S eHybrid does this if the door is open for more then 30 seconds or so.

 

What do you mean by "the ignition kept spontaneously turning off?"

Was the ICE running, or were you sitting in the car with car systems operating under battery power?