Autoblog

Frankfurt 2009: Porsche confirms development of electric sportscar

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche, Electric

Ruf Greenster concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quick trivia question: what automaker was the first to build a hybrid? Did you guess Honda or Toyota? Interestingly, a full 109 years ago, Professor Ferdinand Porsche built a fully functional hybrid automobile, though it was certainly a much different animal compared to the Prius and Insight hatchbacks of 2010. In any case, Porsche is looking to enter the hybrid and electric automobile market in a big way just as soon as battery technology will allow it.

Porsche's opening salvo in the eco-wars will be the full hybrid Cayenne and Panamera models, probably in late 2010 as 2011 models, but there's more to come. Speaking at a press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Michael Macht, Porsche's recently-appointed president and CEO, says:

I am also convinced that one day Porsche will have an electric sports car in its line-up... We are therefore taking the first step in this direction with a full hybrid - in the Cayenne, the Panamera and maybe in the not too distant future also in a racing car or a production 911. Why not?

Recent spy photos indicate that Porsche may already be well into the development phase of its electric 911 program, so this news doesn't exactly come as a shock. Still, while Porsche is just talking about eco-friendly sportscars in press releases at Frankfurt, rivals Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are busy showing off their own factory concepts. Click past the break for the official press release.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ruf Greenster

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Porsche confirms development of electric sportscar

Frankfurt 2009: Porsche confirms development of electric sportscar originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Porsche

No automaker is immune to global environmental pressures to reduce pollutants and limit carbon dioxide emissions. Even Porsche has gotten into the green game with both diese l and hybrid options for its Cayenne along with an expected hybrid powertrain for its Panamara range. Could that fuel-saving technology make a move closer to Porsche's sportscar roots? If so, would the battery pack go under the front hood in the rear-engined car?

According to a series of spy photos from our friends at NextAutos, the answer to those questions may be yes and yes. Although there aren't any logos on the car - save for some awesomely well-placed Batman stickers (Are we looking at the next Tumbler?), the bodystyle undoubtedly screams 911 while the details have us scratching our heads. What's with the oddly shaped bulge (complete with what appears to be a lightning bolt graphic) on the hood, or the fact that the photogs claim the car made virtually no noise as it sped away at high velocities?

For what it's worth, in addition to the hybrid Cayenne and Panamera programs, we also know that the German automaker is keenly interested in electric vehicles, including its iconic 911. In other words, these are spy shots that have our interest piqued even more than usual.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments