The new generation 2015 Porsche Cayenne has officially been revealed before a worldwide public debut at the 2014 Paris Motor Show in October.
The new Cayenne will launch on the market in five versions: Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S Diesel and – in a world premiere – the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. A new Cayenne GTS and flagship Turbo S will both join the range shortly after launch.
The 2015 Cayenne S E-Hybrid, together with the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, make Porsche the world’s only carmaker to offer three plug-in hybrid models.
The 2015 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. The technical progress made here is immense compared to the previous Cayenne S Hybrid. The new model has a lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.8 kWh, which enables an all-electric driving range of 18 to 36 km (11 to 22 miles), depending on the style of driving and route topography. The power of the electric motor was more than doubled: from 47 hp (34 kW) to 95 hp (70 kW).
The combined fuel consumption is now 3.4 l/100 km (83 mpg UK or 39 mpg US) with 79 g/km of CO2. The three-liter V6 supercharged engine (333 hp / 245 kW) and the electric motor (95 hp / 70 kW) produce a combined system power of 416 hp (306 kW) at 5,500 rpm and a total system torque of 590 Newton meters from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm. This enables driving performance on the level of a sports car: zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 243 km/h (150 mph). The top speed in all-electric driving is 125 km/h (77.7 mph). The traction battery can be charged from the electric power grid or while driving. Relevant vehicle data can be called up from a smart phone using the standard Porsche Car Connect feature.
The hybrid tradition at Porsche extends back to the year 1899 and to the Lohner Por-sche – the world’s first vehicle to have a battery-powered electric drive as well as a combustion engine, which was designed and built by Ferdinand Porsche. In the current model line-up, the Panamera S E-Hybrid is setting standards worldwide as the first plug-in vehicle of the premium class. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is now transferring this forward-looking technology to the premium SUV segment. Extraordinarily powerful hybrid technology has also already been implemented in a sports car, in a super sports car no less – the 918 Spyder. This car serves as an example of technology transfer from motorsport to production cars: the most advanced form of hybrid drive technology is currently implemented in the 919 Hybrid, and it is also being studied for production vehicles.
Sharpened exterior design
In its latest version, Porsche designers have given the Cayenne an even sharper design with precise lines and purposefully placed light refracting edges. Entirely new are the design of the front body, the front wings and the bonnet. Also new are the airblades: These air fins on the right and left of the vehicle’s front end efficiently guide cooling air to the intercoolers and also make a strong visual statement.
At first glance, the new Cayenne can be clearly made out as a Porsche by its bi-xenon headlights, which are standard in the base and S models, with “hovering” four-point LED daytime running lights that are typical of Porsche. The high performance standard of the top model, the Cayenne Turbo, is emphasized by standard LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS).
The rear section of the new Cayenne was also thoroughly updated: the layout of the rear lights creates a three-dimensional effect; the brake lights – like the LED daytime running lights in front – are designed in four elements. The license plate recess, boot handle and lights are now integrated more elegantly into the boot lid. Designers also re-designed the car’s horizontal lines, giving the vehicle an even fuller stance on the road. The newly designed exhaust tailpipes are now integrated in the lower rear section. An automatically activating boot lid is a standard feature.
In the interior, designers devoted much of their effort to the driver’s space – the driver now gets a new multifunction sport steering wheel with shift paddles as standard; its look and functions are based on the steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. They also made the rear seating system even more comfortable, and seat ventilation can now be ordered as an option for the rear seats.
The new Cayenne models will launch on the market starting October 11, 2014. In Germany, the Cayenne Diesel will cost € 66,260, the Cayenne S € 80,183, the Cayenne S Diesel € 82,087 and the Cayenne Turbo € 128,378. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid will cost € 82,087, which is exactly the price of a Cayenne S Diesel – and is around € 1,000 less than the price of the previous Cayenne S Hybrid. This was made possible by synergistic effects realised by Porsche in the area of hybrid technology. Therefore, effective immediately the price of the Panamera S E-Hybrid is being lowered by over € 6,000 to € 104,221. Cited prices include VAT and country-specific features.
The 2015 Porsche Cayenne arrives in U.S. dealers November 1. Prices start at $62,695 for the Cayenne Diesel, $75,095 for the Cayenne S, $77,395 for the S E-Hybrid, and $114,596. All prices include destination.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]