What's all this about?
Porsche has updated its entire Cayenne range but the main focus falls upon the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants, under the 'E-Hybrid' banner. That means the 462hp E-Hybrid and the bat-poo-insane 680hp Turbo S E-Hybrid, or 'TSEH' if you'll permit us.
What's changed - do they get more power?
No, they don't - which means you can't lord it over your neighbours with a 700hp SUV that'll apparently do up to 74.3 miles to the gallon, as the Cayenne PHEVs do not gain any extra horsepower from what they had previously. This is unlike recent updates to the 'G2 II' Panamera line-up, where a 700hp TSEH has recently been announced. Strange.
However, what the Cayenne E-Hybrids do gain from the Panameras is the enlarged lithium-ion battery pack. It's now rated at 17.9kWh from its previous capacity of 14.1kWh, which allows both part-electric SUVs to run for longer on their 100kW (136hp) electric motors alone: between 25 and 27 miles in the case of the 462hp PHEV, or 24-25 miles for the Cayenne TSEH. Also, WLTP figures have the Cayenne E-Hybrid at anything between 76.3-91.1mpg with CO emissions of 71-85g/km depending on the size of wheels fitted, and the corresponding data of 68.9-74.3mpg with 86-92g/km from the TSEH. Porsche has also fiddled with the driving modes to make the E-Hybrids better on fuel when charging their battery packs on the move, while also ensuring there is always some overtaking boost power in Sport and Sport Plus modes at all times.
Beyond that, all 2021MY Cayennes, be they the regular SUV-shape or the more contentious Coupe, and whether they're powered by a part-electric drivetrain or not, now come with heated front seats and a reversing camera as standard equipment across the board in the UK.
Oh, nice! Got any prices for me?
Yep, the 2021MY Cayennes, including the PHEVs with the bigger batteries, are available to order today. The regular SUV line-up starts at £59,150 and rises to £126,690 for the TSEH, with the E-Hybrid next-cheapest-to-base-price at £69,980. In the corresponding Cayenne Coupe family, the entry point is £64,090, the TSEH flagship is £129,290 and the Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid is £73,050. Happy hunting!
Matt Robinson - 3 Nov 2020