Autoblog

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]

Wendelin Wiedeking said so himself: "there will be no baby Cayenne." He was telling the truth, but according to latest rumor he simply didn't finish telling the truth. There will be no baby Cayenne that is sold alongside the current Cayenne. But it is speculated that the current Cayenne, for its next generation, will get smaller. After succeeding spectacularly with the Cayenne, Porsche has supposedly decided that it wants to inject the car with better performance and a more car-like driving experience.

All that means is: they want to CUV-ify it. Engines would be carried over, which would give the car the same power yet potentially better mileage. Porsche is pegging 24 mpg. But the Cayenne hybrid, especially with less to drag around, could increase that appreciably (for what will still be a heavy vehicle), since Porsche is projecting 26 mpg for the hybrid at its current size. So here's an SAT word game for you: Touareg is to Cayenne as Tiguan is to....?

[Source: eGM Car Tech]

Porsche has been trotting out its prototype Cayenne Hybrid in Europe for much of this year, but yesterday in Los Angeles we got our first look at it on U.S. soil. Porsche management board member Dr. Wolfgang Duerheimer told us about the Cayenne Hybrid, which will go into production toward the end of this decade. In many respects, the parallel hybrid system is fairly conventional with a nickel metal hydride battery pack, although the packaging is fairly unique as the motor's mounted with the rear differential. From a performance perspective, Porsche is aiming for a 30% efficiency improvement on the EU combined cycle with a rating of at least 26 mpg (US). What really sets Porsche's hybrid system apart, though, is the ability to shut off the engine when cruising at speeds up to 75 MPH. The Cayenne can potentially cruise the autobahn on battery power alone for several miles if conditions allow for it. Other hybrid systems only allow EV mode up to about 30 mph. It will be interesting to see how well this works in the real world, and whether or not a light right foot will allow you to accelerate up to 75 MPH on battery power alone.

[Source: Porsche]

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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]

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Lost in the shuffle here last week was the fact that Porsche demonstrated a prototype of the forthcoming Cayenne Hybrid in Germany. Long discussed, this performance SUV will share its powertrain with the Panamera when the four-door GT arrives. Motor Trend was on hand for the demo and reported that despite being a hybrid, the "greened" Porsche retains its SUV capabilities -- it is off-roadable and will ford a 20-inch body of water without complaint. Add to that a 7,000 lb towing capacity and a fuel economy rating of 24 mpg in the US FTP cycle as of right now (better economy is expected by launch), and you've got the makings of a pretty attractive-sounding setup. The Cayenne Hybrid is a full hybrid vehicle which boasts performance numbers that are actually a smidge better than the standard Cayenne V6. On a cosmetic note, we dig the prototype's RS-style "hybrid" script on the bodywork. Porsche's press release is pasted after the jump, and MT's report can be found by clicking the "Read" link below.

[Sources: Porsche, Motor Trend via Jalopnik]