The second-generation PorscheCayenne will be debuting at the Geneva Motor Show in March, along with the related Volkswagen Touareg. Both SUVs will mark the debut of a new hybrid drive system co-developed by the two brands. The Cayenne and Touareg will both enter production about the same time after their debut at the show.
The SUVs will be using a version of the supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 found in the Audi S4 with 325 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. The crew at Autocar had a chance to ride along in a near-production Cayenne S hybrid recently and felt this machine could be a serious challenger to the new Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid and even the class-leading Lexus RX450h. The Porsche hybrid felt nearly as quick as the V8-powered standard Cayenne S although the vehicle wasn’t instrumented. The Porsche was a later-stage prototype than a Touareg Hybrid that Volkswagen has been showing for some time and it appears the engineers have refined the engine on-off transition and have made the hybrid experience almost seamless.
[Source: Autocar | Image: Autocar]