Porsche hybrid heaven
Porsche has revealed details of the update of its popular Cayenne luxury SUV, with five variants - including a plug-in hybrid - set to make it to Australia.
The German company has said hybrid technology will be a major focus for it and it has so far proved true to its word, with the Cayenne S E-Hybrid set to join fellow hybrids Panamera S Hybrid and 918 Spyder in the Porsche stable.
This makes Porsche the first car maker to have three hybrids in its line-up, though the awesome 918 Spyder is, unfortunately, not sold in Australia.
The first luxury plug-in hybrid SUV, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid combines a lithium-ion-powered 70kW electric motor with a 245kW 3.0-litre supercharged V6 to offer an impressive combined 306kW at 5500rpm and 590Nm between 1250-4000rpm.
Porsche lists the electric-only range as between 18-36km and fuel use at a miserly 3.4L/100km, though such figures will prove hard to reach if you drive the vehicle to its capabilities; it'll hit 100km/h from standstill in 5.9secs.
The E-Hybrid will arrive slightly after the rest of the line-up, which will hit showrooms in November. Porsche Australia's Paul Ellis said the company was still determining how many E-Hybrids it would sell.
"It's a new technology, we're still learning a bit from the Panamera S E-Hybrid," he said.
"But the Cayenne would have more potential simply because of the type of car it is."
Mr Ellis wouldn't confirm other models would also receive hybrid variants but said the company wasn't investing its time and energy in hybrids at events such as the Le Mans 24-Hour "for nothing".
The Cayenne's smaller sibling, the Macan, would appear to shape as a prime candidate for a frugal engine.
Also in the Cayenne range is the Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Diesel and Cayenne S Diesel. All variants boast improved performance and fuel economy, with the Cayenne S getting a new 309kW/550Nm twin-turbo 3.6-litre V6.
Little has changed appearance wise, save for "air-blades" at the left and right of the front bumper which help guide air to the intercoolers, and new tail-light and tailpipe designs at the rear.
Inside, there is a new 918 Spyder-derived sports steering wheel.
Local pricing and specifications will be released closer to the car's Australian arrival.
