The Porsche Cayenne SUV is now available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Porsche’s biggest-selling model makes use of the system developed for the brand’s Panamera sports saloon. A 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine of 340hp is combined with an electric motor of 100kW to generate a total system power figure of 462hp.
The system also offers 700Nm of torque, pushing the Cayenne E-Hybrid through 62mph in five seconds and onto a maximum speed of 157mph. A boost control developed for the 918 Spyder supercar is employed, which allows the electric motor to be employed in all modes of the Sport Chrono driver control, which is fitted as standard. The package ensures full torque is available virtually from pushing the accelerator.
Porsche quotes fuel economy figures of up to 88.3mpg, depending on the tyres specified, while the car can also cover up to 27 miles on electric-only power at speeds up to 83mph.
The latest hybrid drivetrain is improved over its predecessor mainly in the electric engine which is 43% more powerful than its predecessor, The petrol engine gains 7hp over previous versions, while the latest automatic transmission is added, its eight speeds promising smoother but faster shifts.
Battery capacity has been improved too – the capacity of the unit, which sits under the boot floor, increases from 10.8 to 14.1kWh, a gain of 30%. Using a 10-amp 230-volt connection and the standard 3.6kW charger the battery is fully charged in just under eight hours. Employing the optional 7.2Kw onboard charger with a 32-amp connection cuts this time to just over two hours.
A phone app, Porsche Connect, allows charging to be remotely monitored using the car’s Porsche Communication Management (PCM) connectivity technology. This app also allows remote setting of the climate control, while Porsche intends to roll out a charging station access programme in the UK.
Porsche is pricing the Cayenne E-Hybrid from £67,128 and first deliveries are expected at the end of May.
