Click image for photo gallery
As was the case last year, the upcoming LA Auto Show will have a decidedly "green" tinge to it as automakers use the California setting to tout the alt-fuel offerings that they're both selling now and have under development. Porsche (now that it has removed Detroit from its calendar) calls LA its most important showcase, and will bring the Cayenne Hybrid along for all to see. Due by the end of the decade, the Cayenne uses a parallel hybrid system that will help the SUV achieve fuel economy of at least 26 US MPG. This, while retaining its off-road capabilities and and a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, according to an earlier announcement by the automaker. Joining the Cayenne Hybrid on the stand will be Lohner-Porsche electric vehicle, which first made its debut at the 1900 World's Fair. Yep, they did in-wheel electric motors way back then, too. AutoblogGreen has more on Porsche's vintage EV, and we'll have a full complement of Autobloggers on hand in LA to get the skinny on the Cayenne Hybrid.
[Source: Porsche]
PRESS RELEASE:
Porsche at the Los Angeles Auto Show Committed to Alternative Drive Systems
Stuttgart/Los Angeles. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is presenting drive concepts particularly friendly to the environment at the Los Angeles Auto Show starting on November 16, 2007: The highlight of this leading event at the Los Angeles Convention Center is of course the first appearance of the innovative Cayenne Hybrid in America. At the same time Porsche is also presenting a milestone in automobile development to the well-informed public attending the most significant trend show in North America with their great knowledge of history and technical development over the years: The electric-drive Lohner-Porsche from the year 1900, one of the world's first zero emission vehicles and, accordingly, a forerunner for hybrid drive.
With its future-oriented electric motors in the wheel hubs, the Lohner-Porsche was acknowledged as the absolute sensation at the Paris World Fair in 1900. On loan from the Technical Museum in Vienna, Austria, this outstanding achievement in technology protected today as a universal monument is now to be seen the first time outside of Europe at an auto show.
It was this vehicle, Ferdinand Porsche's first major project completed at the time without layshafts and without a transmission that gave the 24-year-old automobile genius his breakthrough as a pioneer in the history of the automobile. Shortly thereafter Ferdinand Porsche added a combustion engine providing power for the electric generator to the electric drive system with two internal-pole motors in the front wheels. This made Porsche's hybrid drive ready for production and created a unique highlight at the Paris Auto Show in 1901.
More than 100 years later the engineers at Porsche's Weissach Research & Development Center took up precisely this concept, creating the future-oriented high-tech Cayenne Hybrid, a unique vehicle combining superior efficiency with equally superior driving dynamics. The Full-Parallel-Hybrid System developed by Porsche combines the best of two worlds so efficiently that the series-production will consume less than 9 liters/100 km. An equally important point was to maintain Porsche's typically ambitious standards in terms of vehicle weight and driving dynamics also in the hybrid model. And perhaps the best news is that Porsche will be introducing this very economical SUV before the end of this decade.
The Los Angeles Auto Show has become the most significant show for Porsche in the USA, reaching Porsche customers in one of the brand's main regions with maximum impact and with a great effect on the company's image. The particular lifestyle of California is clearly borne out by the new Porsche GT2 likewise making its North American debut in Los Angeles and offering high technology of tomorrow in today's market: This 530-hp super-sportscar is powered by a biturbo engine featuring a new expansion intake manifold to reduce fuel consumption under full load. The fastest production-911 of all times will be available as of February 2008 in the USA at a retail price of US$ 191,700.
Nick Hogan sentenced to 8 months in jail
Pontiac El Cami-"NO"
Spy Shots: Baby Cayenne caught on 'Ring!
First Peek: 2009 Dodge Ram R/T
Spy Shots: Corvette ZR1 attacking the Nurburgring
Future Classic: 1984 Chrysler Minivans
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy
First Drive: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen
Project Track Slut, Part One: Pick a weapon on the cheap
By the Numbers: April 2008
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Shoaib @ Nov 11th 2007 6:22PM
I seriously hope that they aren't going to keep those huge hybrid decals on the side on this and the escalade. It ruins two quite nice looking cars.
Dan @ Nov 11th 2007 6:50PM
the target market for hybrids demands conspicuous designs / labels.
Shoaib @ Nov 11th 2007 7:54PM
@ Dan, I think putting hybrid on the side is a bit more than conspicuous. Escalades and Cayennes are already conspicuous as is. I think something akin to how the Highlander and RX hybrids are badged would be better: different grills, rims and small hybrid badges.
VP @ Nov 11th 2007 8:00PM
Guys these are show cars, you can't seriously believe they will have HYBRID splashed all over the car?
Shoaib @ Nov 11th 2007 9:45PM
I doubt porsche will, but cadillac just might...
reader @ Nov 11th 2007 11:08PM
It's not as obvious as a Prius, so how would they show off their green without the sticker?
Larry Fine @ Nov 11th 2007 7:25PM
So this answers the question:
How can I save fuel cost for my expensive automatic performance sports minivan-esque cruiser?
For the right price a Good Humor Ice Cream truck can be as fast a sports car...
Talk about watering down a brand... Dr. Porsche is turning air-cooled revolutions in his grave
Edward Romero @ Nov 11th 2007 8:02PM
where is the Porsche biodeisel crewcab, 8ft bed pickup that pulls .91 on the skidpad?
Really, this would make as much sense.
-E.S. Romero
Grumpy @ Nov 11th 2007 8:29PM
Wonder what the editors have against Infinity FX35-45?
Hiro11 @ Nov 11th 2007 9:16PM
The Endtimes are neigh. Seriously, Porsche, a friggen hybrid SUV?!? Why not just open up Ferry Porsche's grave and simply piss on his fore-skull?
letstakeawalk @ Nov 13th 2007 3:45PM
Dr. Porsche will be just fine. Follow the 1st Hybrid Posche link below...
KML @ Nov 11th 2007 11:27PM
That is as much a Porsche as Saabs are Swedish.
Jay @ Nov 12th 2007 12:29AM
Then wat is it? A Lada?
Tristan OTierney @ Nov 12th 2007 12:33AM
I think an even better way to save fuel with this vehicle is to never own the damn ugly, gas guzzling monstrosity in the first place.
Furion @ Nov 12th 2007 4:59AM
It might be ugly, but I wouldn't consider < 9 l/100km to be "gas guzzling". Lexus also offers hybrid SUVs (and caddy will be offering soon), and I don't see how increased choice was bad. If one was market for a bigger car, but still wanted something eco-friendly, it's good to have different options.
Competition between car companies is what will drive down MPG, if that is what consumers want.
Richard Warren @ Nov 12th 2007 8:08AM
"Why not just open up Ferry Porsche's grave and simply piss on his fore-skull?"
And Porsche designed what car first that became the basis for the 356 which became the 911? That would be the lowly VW an underpowered economy car.
Now who's head should we piss on?
My bet, not only will it get better mileage, it will move out just fine.
Jeff_Cars_Lover @ Nov 12th 2007 10:44AM
Porsche Cayenne Hybrid?!
http://www.pollsb.com/polls/poll/3721/porsche-cayenne-hybrid
Robert @ Nov 12th 2007 11:29AM
What happened to no hybrid besmirching the porsche heritage
letstakeawalk @ Nov 13th 2007 12:29PM
here's your heritage...
http://www.hybrid-vehicle.org/hybrid-vehicle-porsche.html