Porsche came out swinging at the LA Auto Show with a Cayenne Hybrid it said could do 75 MPH on battery power alone. Now the carmaker isn't sure it wants to fight that fight any more. Speaking of hybrid market share, Porsche's head of distribution said, "The most optimistic forecast still only calls for a market share of 5 percent." And in that case, Porsche feels it might not be worth it to bring out a Cayenne Hybrid until the introduction of the next generation in 2010.
They would then use that model as the litmus test for other hybrids. The Panamera might get a hybrid variant in 2011 -- two years after its introduction -- or it might not happen until 2013. In fact, since Porsche still has no firm date set for getting a hybrid to market, all of these dates could be pushed back indefinitely. Contrast that with Audi, which wants to introduce a hybrid Q7 by the end of 2008.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John @ Dec 17th 2007 5:35PM
Which means.... next year.
R.Autry @ Dec 17th 2007 6:42PM
I can't wait for the Rolls Royce hybrid...or the Bently.
And then how about the Caterpillar hybrids. Or airliner hybrids. Can they be in our future?
letstakeawalk @ Dec 17th 2007 9:09PM
Well, diesel-electric locomotives and submarines proved pretty successful.
j_diesel @ Dec 18th 2007 1:13AM
diesel electric locomotives are not hybrids. they have no way in which to store the power generated during dynamic braking or to assist with acceleration. it is more like a generator set powering electric motors. only recently has the true hybrid idea come forward with a GE testbed.
letstakeawalk @ Dec 18th 2007 5:53PM
Thanks for the clarification!
B Montgomery @ Dec 17th 2007 6:44PM
I want the 700ft/lbs torque 500bhp Q7 V12 Turbo Diesel - Forget the overhyped hybrids! Diesel baby!
http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2006/9/11/2060911.001/2060911.001.1M.jpg
Noah @ Dec 17th 2007 6:51PM
Hey, Montgomery, I'm partially with you on this one. Some of those diesels are awefully attractive. However, making them Tier2 Bin5 looks to chip away at the cost advantage of diesels.
The great thing about hybrids is that no matter if its a gasser or diesel, its got great torque (which is why diesels rock). Plus fuel economy.
If diesels were pursued with as much tenacity as hybrids in the US, I bet we'd see big advances. But hybrids are a better long term solution to some problems.
Solo Racer @ Dec 17th 2007 9:17PM
At the Porsche press conference, they said "end of the decade."
500 @ Dec 17th 2007 9:42PM
Good, it's a bad idea. As if the Cayenne weren't heresy enough to many enthusiasts, a hybrid system would add unwanted weight and complexity, not to mention cost likely out of proportion to any benefits.
Spend the money on giving the world a decent-looking Panamera.
j_diesel @ Dec 18th 2007 1:15AM
oh boy! i can hardly wait for the GT3 hybrid.