Porsche’s first hybrid car
The Cayenne S Hybrid boasts a fuel consumption figure of around 11.1km/l which betters all of its petrol driven brethren
By Justin Lee
PORSCHE HAS ROLLED out a hybrid version of the Cayenne.
The Cayenne S Hybrid joins the Cayenne, Cayenne S and Cayenne GTS which run V6 and V8 engines in the lineup. The German brand says that the car has a power output comparable to a V8 without the fuel consumption that a large eight cylinder engine attracts.
It has a claimed fuel consumption figure of around 11.1km/l. This is better than the 290bhp 3.6-litre V6 Cayenne’s 9.3km/l.
Forward propulsion comes from a 333bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 shared with the Audi S4 allied to a 52bhp electric motor. The combined power output is 374bhp and a peak torque of 550Nm is available from a low 1,500rpm.
For comparison, the Cayenne S runs a 385bhp 4.8-litre V8 which has a maximum torque of 499Nm. Its fuel consumption is rated at 8.7km/l.
As with most hybrids, the electric motor is used as an additional source of power to boost the output of the petrol engine or it can work as the sole drive unit to propel the car. The Cayenne S Hybrid saves fuel by switching off the V6 at speeds of up to 138km/h.
Being a Porsche, the Cayenne S Hybrid is no slouch in the acceleration stakes with its 0-100km/h achieved in 6.8 seconds. Its timing is the same as the Cayenne S.
One alternative to this car will be the Lexus RX 450h which will arrive in the third quarter of this year. However, it will occupy a lower price bracket than the Cayenne judging by how much the petrol versions are going for. The Japanese SUV is priced from $175,000 while the entry level Cayenne commands $256,888.
Under the RX 450h’s bonnet lies a 246bhp 3.5-litre V6. The powerplant works in tandem with the front and rear electric motors which produce 165bhp and 67bhp respectively. The combined power output is 295bhp and it has a fuel consumption figure of 15.8km/l.
Beside the Cayenne S Hybrid, Porsche is also planning to launch a hybrid version of its Panamera by the end of the year. No details have been revealed regarding the luxury sedan’s performance and hybrid powertrain.
Local Porsche distributor Stuttgart Auto says plans are still being firmed up for the car’s introduction to our market.
