Autoblog

First Drive: Sailing in Stuttgart with Porsche's Cayenne S Hybrid

Chris Paukert — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Europe, Green, Technology, Porsche, First Drive

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid - Click above for high-res gallery

While charging along at 85 mph with a particularly poker-faced Porsche engineer riding shotgun, traffic begins to cluster on the horizon. Not willing to risk our seven-figure prototype, I gently roll off the accelerator, at which point a funny thing happens: Without warning, the tachometer needle dies, unceremoniously plunging to zero RPM. The supercharged, 3.0-liter V6 ahead of us has gone stone dead, yet our Porsche Cayenne continues to waft along unruffled. We are coasting along on the Autobahn, with only a modest bit of wind noise and tire roar as our soundtrack.

Just as quickly as it began to appear, Stuttgart's traffic thins, and after gliding along for perhaps 15 or 20 seconds -- losing remarkably little velocity -- I ease back onto the throttle, at which point the rev counter jumps back to life just as quickly as it had extinguished, and the Cayenne sashays back up to 95 mph before I slot in amongst slower traffic in the right lane. Beyond the tachometer's telltale drop and jump, there is exactly no indication that the engine momentarily packed it up just seconds before. My copilot, Dr. Michael Leiters, project manager for Porsche's Cayenne Hybrid, allows himself a brief smile.

Far from indicating a mechanical defect, we've just witnessed what our Deutsche companion refers to as "segeln" -- sailing -- a fuel saving maneuver that Porsche says other automakers have written off as impossible at roadway speeds without jolting disruptions. Yet beyond the tach needle's machinations, there has been no drama whatsoever: no untoward thwack in the back, no expensive-sounding noises, no head toss, no coffee spilled, just seamlessly reintroduced acceleration. The gas pedal simply called upon the engine again and the electric motor restarted it in a flawless, 300-millisecond passing of the power baton. Remarkable stuff.

Follow the jump for more.

Gallery: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

Continue reading First Drive: Sailing in Stuttgart with Porsche's Cayenne S Hybrid

First Drive: Sailing in Stuttgart with Porsche's Cayenne S Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Cayenne Hybrid delayed until at least 2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Green, Porsche

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]

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid delayed until at least 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: 2010 Porsche Cayenne gets smaller

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Porsche

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]

Rendered Speculation: 2010 Porsche Cayenne gets smaller originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid can go 75 MPH on battery power alone

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:39:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, SUV, Green, Porsche

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]

Gallery: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

LA 2007: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid can go 75 MPH on battery power alone originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA Auto Show preview: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Alex Nunez — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Green, Porsche

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]

Gallery: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

Continue reading LA Auto Show preview: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

LA Auto Show preview: Porsche Cayenne Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Cayenne Hybrid initial info, gallery

Alex Nunez — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Green, Porsche

Click image for photo gallery

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]

Gallery: Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

Continue reading Porsche Cayenne Hybrid initial info, gallery

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid initial info, gallery originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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