The new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid can run at high speeds on electric power alone. (Photo: Porsche)
Led by a technologically advanced full-hybrid model, the all-new, next-generation Porsche Cayenne sport-utility vehicle will debut next week at the Geneva motor show in early March.
In line with the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, the entire range from the entry level Cayenne with a V6 engine to the 500-horsepower Cayenne Turbo all deliver improved performance while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions.
The new Porsche Cayenne will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show on March 31. The Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo go on sale in July as a 2011 model, and U.S. pricing will be announced soon. Porsche dealerships will offer the Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid in the fall.
The highlight is the new Cayenne S Hybrid featuring a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive system. With a combined power output of 380 horsepower from the supercharged V6 combustion engine and an electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid combines the performance of a V8 with the economy of a V6.
What makes the Cayenne S Hybrid unique is its ability to cruise at high speeds on electric power alone. The gasoline engine can be completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain at speeds of up to 97 mph. Christened by the Weissach engineers as “sailing” or cruising mode, the drag forces exerted by the combustion engine and their braking effect are eliminated in the interest of lower resistance and fuel consumption.
All new-generation Cayenne SUVs set high standards for efficiency and performance. Compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by up to 23 percent in the New European Driving Cycle and CO2 emissions are significantly reduced despite the increased performance. EPA-certified fuel-economy figures will be available when the cars go on sale in North America in July.
A new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission with a wide range of gear ratios and the Automatic Start Stop function (first introduced on the Panamera) contribute to these improvements. So does efficient thermal management of the engine and transmission cooling circuits, on-board electrical network recuperation, variable deceleration fuel cut-off and the Cayenne’s intelligent lightweight construction.
