Autoblog

Porsche recalls 2011-2012 Cayenne SUVs over headlight issue

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Recalls, Safety, Porsche, Luxury

Porsche is issuing a recall of 20,278 Cayenne SUVs from the 2011- and 2012 model years including the base model as well as the S, Hybrid and Turbo. The vehicles in question, produced from March 8, 2010 up to January of this year, may have been fitted with faulty headlight locking assemblies. In case of assembly failure, the headlights could detach from the fenders - something that might be dramatically inconvenient if you're driving at night on a dark, winding road, say.

Porsche is sending notices to owners and dealers will fix the issue free of charge. There's an official press notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after the jump with a little more info.

Continue reading Porsche recalls 2011-2012 Cayenne SUVs over headlight issue

Porsche recalls 2011-2012 Cayenne SUVs over headlight issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New vehicles 14% more fuel efficient than four years ago

Jeff Sabatini — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Technology, Porsche, Diesel

It's amazing what a little regulation can do for an industry. In the past four years, the fuel economy of new vehicles has improved by an average of 14 percent, according to a new study by the University of Michigan. This increase comes on the heels of big hikes in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, which Congress raised in 2007 for the first time in decades. Since then, CAFE has been set at 34.1 miles per gallon by 2016, and a new proposal that's pending would raise the fuel economy standard to 54.5 mpg by 2025.

The Michigan study showed that the average fuel efficiency of 2012 light-duty vehicles on the market was 21.5 mpg, up from 18.9 in 2008. Adjusted for the vehicles that are actually purchased, the number is even higher, with 2011 coming in at 22.5 mpg. Researchers say that shows that consumers are buying models with better fuel economy.

The biggest efficiency improvements over the past four years came from diesels, which jumped 9.8 mpg, likely as a result of more diesel passenger cars being offered. Hybrids, oddly enough, saw their average fuel economy drop by 3 mpg's, no doubt because of a number of larger and thirstier hybrids hitting the market, like the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.

Click past the jump to read the full press release.

Continue reading New vehicles 14% more fuel efficient than four years ago

New vehicles 14% more fuel efficient than four years ago originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche Cayenne named Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year via Facebook [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Etc., Porsche, Luxury

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Motor Trend has announced its pick for Sport/Utility Vehicle of the Year, and the honor has fallen on the 2011 Porsche Cayenne. The fact that the Porsche has received the award is not necessarily a surprise, it's how the award was announced. M/T decided to eschew the standard required wait time for readers to find out via its monthly magazine. The announcement was made at 12:01am via social media juggernaut, Facebook and they've since followed up the Facebook notification with a proper article on its website.

According to Angus MacKenzie, Editor-In-Chief, the Porsche Cayenne was top notch across the criteria board. M/T uses six key points to evaluate its contenders; Advancement in Design, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, Value and Performance of Intended Function.

"With strong showings in the engineering and efficiency areas, an attractive exterior, a thoughtful interior design, a full roster of active and passive safety gear and a high value rating on its opening price, the Cayenne was quite obviously the winner. The fact that the Cayenne's driving experience eclipsed that of every other contender, was just a bonus."

For a reminder of how we felt about the 2011 Porsche Cayenne, check out Michael Harley's First Drive feature on the Turbo and subsequent writeup of the V6. For more insight into Motor Trend's decision, take a look at video highlighting the editors' deliberation process and a video of the winning Cayenne itself right after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne V6

Photos copyright (C)2010 Michael Harley / AOL

[Source: Motor Trend]

Continue reading Porsche Cayenne named Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year via Facebook [w/video]

Porsche Cayenne named Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year via Facebook [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpeedArt Porsche Cayenne SpeedHybrid 450 is in tune with Mother Earth

Noah Joseph — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Hybrid, Performance, SUV, Crossover, Porsche

SpeedArt Porsche Cayenne SpeedHybrid 450 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hybrids get great fuel economy and low emissions, but once the likes of Porsche and Ferrari started developing the technology, you knew we were in for a different game altogether, one where battery boost would become a performance advantage, as much for burning rubber as for saving fuel. And where rubber is being burnt, there will be tuners vying to burn even more.

Take the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, for example. It's hardly the pillar of earth-friendliness, by any means. And this is hardly the first time a tuner has taken a crack at it. But it is the latest, and comes courtesy of Porsche tuning expert SpeedArt. The package includes a 70-horsepower boost to the conventional gasoline-burning V6 for a 450 metric horsepower output and a 0-60 time cut down by half a second to six flat. Not too shabby for a big sport-ute with a V6.

Electric drive modes are essentially unaffected, allowing the Cayenne to operate on battery power alone while putting around town, with a slight increase to fuel consumption and emissions once its performance is put to the test. An electronically-adjustable suspension riding on 22-inch forged wheels and a new exhaust system are also on offer, and a full aero kit is under development. Check it out in the gallery below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: speedART Porsche Cayenne speedHYBRID 450

[Source: SpeedArt]

Continue reading SpeedArt Porsche Cayenne SpeedHybrid 450 is in tune with Mother Earth

SpeedArt Porsche Cayenne SpeedHybrid 450 is in tune with Mother Earth originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: 2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Turbo say 'Tag in hi-po stereo

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche

2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche's got a lot on the Cayenne line, and having had a look at the new Hybrid and Turbo variants we don't believe they have anything to worry about. The Hybrid is the first from the automaker, but will be just one of five Cayenne trims on offer, and gets you 23-percent better mileage for what is sure to be a hefty premium. Overall system horsepower is 380 horsepower, yet often times you won't even notice it because you'll be "sailing," which is when the drivetrain is decoupled from the engine and happens at speeds up to 97 mph. Follow the jump for the skinny, and check them both out - as well as that curvaceous interior in the Hybrid - in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Continue reading Geneva 2010: 2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Turbo say 'Tag in hi-po stereo

Geneva 2010: 2011 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid and Turbo say 'Tag in hi-po stereo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2011 Porsche Cayenne revealed before Geneva debut [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:48:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche, Luxury

2011 Porsche Cayenne - Click above for high-res image gallery

Less than 24 hours after leaked shots of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne made their way onto the internet, we now have the official images and details about the third generation of Porsche's love-it-or-hate-it sport-ute. Visually, the new Cayenne gets some obvious Panamera-inspired touches up front (i.e., headlamps), and like past generations, Turbo models (pictured above) get a much more aggressive overall fascia than the lesser models. And even though it looks a bit more petite, this Cayenne is actually 1.9 inches longer than the 2010 model, with 1.6 inches of added wheelbase length.

The big news for the 2011 model year is the introduction of Cayenne S Hybrid-Porsche's first production hybrid vehicle-which uses a parallel full hybrid drive system. The gasoline engine is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 (sound familiar?), and when mated to a 47-horsepower electric motor, total output for the hybrid is rated at 380-hp and 427 pound-feet of torque, all of which is fully delivered at just 1,000 rpm. Porsche says that the Cayenne S Hybrid is capable of driving up to 40 mph solely using electric assist, and the gasoline engine can be completely switched off at cruising speeds up to 97 mph. We'll have official fuel economy numbers when the new Cayenne goes on sale.

From there, the rest of the Cayenne range is more of the same. Base models use a 300-horsepower V6 mated to a new eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission. Cayenne S models use the same basic 4.8-liter V8 as the outgoing model, though power is up to 400 hp, and it's important to note that the S is actually 400 pounds lighter than its predecessor, with the dieting sure to improve fuel economy and overall dynamics. Top-rung Cayenne Turbo models use a twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8 churning out 500 horsepower.

The Cayenne's interior has also been given a much-needed once over, and we'd be lying if we didn't say that the Panamera appears to have had a lot of influence here, as well. Still, we like the overall layout and are glad that Porsche has fitted a better-looking (and, more than likely, better to use) steering wheel, though we'd have preferred column-mounted paddles to the +/- nubs fitted the the wheel. Still, we can't wait to get our driving gloves wrapped around it.

Follow the jump to read all of the information in Porsche's press release, and to see a video of prototype Cayennes blasting through the sand dunes of Dubai - it's cool stuff, we promise. We'll have live shots from Geneva next week.

Gallery: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

[Source: Porsche]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2011 Porsche Cayenne revealed before Geneva debut [w/video]

Officially Official: 2011 Porsche Cayenne revealed before Geneva debut [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche CEO reportedly says 'no hybrid sports cars'

Dan Roth — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Porsche, Electric

Go to any major city worldwide and you're likely to see a Porsche 911 roll by. It's far more common than seeing one making the cornstalks blur in the middle of farm country, anyway. Porsche CEO Michael Macht disagrees that his sports cars frequent metro areas. "They're not driven in the city," Macht told the UK's Autocar when discussing hybrid 987s and 997s. Of course, city driving is where hybrid powertrains rack up fuel economy credits, which Macht acknowledges before dismissing by saying, "It's technically possible but it's not part of the plan."

Despite the verbot on hybrid 911s, Boxsters and Caymans, technology will be thrown at the sports cars to improve efficiency. "We want brake regeneration and stop-start for our sports cars, but not hybrid," explains Macht. Just because there's no hybrids other than the Cayenne doesn't mean Porsche isn't playing with electrons. "There are some efforts to make a pure electric supercar," Macht notes, though such a vehicle would have to be capable of running as hard for as long as the petro-fueled Porsche cars - no 30-mile ranges here.

[Source: Autocar]

Porsche CEO reportedly says 'no hybrid sports cars' originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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 Drives

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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