Two years ago at the Frankfurt auto show, Porsche announced it had begun work on a hybrid Cayenne program, but the company has remained quiet since then, except to tell us it has remained partnered with VW on the SUVs development.
However, Porsche recently broke its silence and gave us a few more details about what we can expect from the new product, which is on track for a 2009 launch.

What we know is that the battery-powered electric motor in the Cayenne hybrid will slot between its V-6 and the transmission, a series configuration that Porsche claims is more compatible with the Cayennes platform. The company also says the setup is more fuel efficient and flexible in terms of the hybrid system management, which Porsche claims will allow the vehicles performance to remain, well, Porsche-like. Just how potent the V-6 and the electric motor are on their own as well as in combination with each other are details Porsche is unwilling to provide at this time.

What Porsche is willing to divulge at this early stage is that its fuel-economy target for the Cayenne hybrid is 24 to 26 mpg some 25 percent better than the current V-6 Cayenne’s mpg. Porsche did not make any mention of reduced emissions, but we expect at least commensurate improvements along those lines.

Other unique features of the Cayenne hybrid that have been designed to decrease fuel consumption include the vacuum pump for the brakes and the air conditioning, which will operate on electric power. Technical components, such as the oil pump in the Cayennes automatic transmission, have also been replaced by electrically powered units. Further efficiencies were gained by the fitting of an electrohydraulic steering system a move that may not be welcomed by purists.

Porsche also plans to introduce a hybrid version of its Panamera four-door sometime after its 2009 debut.

This is all great news, we suppose, but were still scratching our heads trying to figure out exactly what the point is of a hybrid Cayenne or Panamera. After all, few people buy luxury SUVs or four-door GTs because they re green. Nor, for that matter, do they stay away from them because they re not.

To the contrary, however, Porsche has claimed in the past that more and more rich people are interested in environmentally sound vehicles. But is the demand really that high? The only thing we can surmise is that Porsche is bending under major regulatory pressures, because considering what low volumes the Cayenne hybrid is expected to pull in, there cant be much money in it, even at the prices we expect Porsche to charge for its mighty new green machines.

Two years ago at the Frankfurt auto show, Porsche announced it had begun work on a hybrid Cayenne program, but the company has remained quiet since then, except to tell us it has remained partnered with VW on the SUVs development.
However, Porsche recently broke its silence and gave us a few more details about what we can expect from the new product, which is on track for a 2009 launch.

What we know is that the battery-powered electric motor in the Cayenne hybrid will slot between its V-6 and the transmission, a series configuration that Porsche claims is more compatible with the Cayennes platform. The company also says the setup is more fuel efficient and flexible in terms of the hybrid system management, which Porsche claims will allow the vehicles performance to remain, well, Porsche-like. Just how potent the V-6 and the electric motor are on their own as well as in combination with each other are details Porsche is unwilling to provide at this time.

What Porsche is willing to divulge at this early stage is that its fuel-economy target for the Cayenne hybrid is 24 to 26 mpg some 25 percent better than the current V-6 Cayenne’s mpg. Porsche did not make any mention of reduced emissions, but we expect at least commensurate improvements along those lines.

Other unique features of the Cayenne hybrid that have been designed to decrease fuel consumption include the vacuum pump for the brakes and the air conditioning, which will operate on electric power. Technical components, such as the oil pump in the Cayennes automatic transmission, have also been replaced by electrically powered units. Further efficiencies were gained by the fitting of an electrohydraulic steering system a move that may not be welcomed by purists.

Porsche also plans to introduce a hybrid version of its Panamera four-door sometime after its 2009 debut.

This is all great news, we suppose, but were still scratching our heads trying to figure out exactly what the point is of a hybrid Cayenne or Panamera. After all, few people buy luxury SUVs or four-door GTs because they re green. Nor, for that matter, do they stay away from them because they re not.

To the contrary, however, Porsche has claimed in the past that more and more rich people are interested in environmentally sound vehicles. But is the demand really that high? The only thing we can surmise is that Porsche is bending under major regulatory pressures, because considering what low volumes the Cayenne hybrid is expected to pull in, there cant be much money in it, even at the prices we expect Porsche to charge for its mighty new green machines.

Frankfurt Motor Show 

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