What's this then?
This is the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, a facelifted and updated version of Weissach's big SUV now featuring a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain that promises both power and flower-power.
What's new about it?
Well, the Cayenne has in general had a mid-life facelift (a nip and tuck to the bumpers, new headlights, some cabin trim changes) in order to make it look more like a natural brother to the new Macan. Under the skin of this E-Hybrid model though the changes are more profound. Porsche is quoting 83mpg for combined economy (or better than a Fiat Panda diesel, fact fans...) and just 79g/km of CO2. The hybrid system features the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that we already know and love, and Porsche claims that the E-Hybrid will go for around 20 miles on a full battery charge. Top speed in battery mode is 78mph, but the combined system has 416hp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds.
Wow, Porsche has come a long way from just churning out 911s.
It certainly has. In fact, with the addition of the Cayenne E-Hybrid, Porsche reckons it's now the biggest plug-in hybrid maker in the world, with a three-car line-up including this Cayenne plus the Panamera plug-in and the 918 Spyder hybrid supercar.
Neil Briscoe - 2 Oct 2014
