2015 Porsche Cayenne on its way

The latest version of Porsche's best-selling model, the Cayenne SUV, is coming to Australia in November 2014. It arrives after its Paris motor show debut in October, bringing with it improvements in comfort, efficiency and aesthetics.

Described by Porsche as "more efficient and dynamic", the 2015 Cayenne will be offered with five different powertrains, all of them more powerful and efficient and two of them new (a twin-turbo V6 petrol and plug-in hybrid model). Power levels for the muscular SUV span 193kW to 382kW.

Although pricing and equipment levels won't be announced until closer to its local launch, Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) has confirmed we'll get the Cayenne S, Turbo, Diesel, S Diesel and S E-Hybrid models, the latter the first plug-in hybrid premium SUV.

The Porsche Cayenne has become a crucial model for Porsche, its best-seller in recent times, the profits from which go into honing its iconic 911 sports car and also developing new models like the Macan compact SUV. And possibly more, such as the mooted Pajun.

In 2013 the Cayenne sold 84,041 units globally. That's more than double the sales of Porsche's second-best-selling model, the 911, which achieved sales of 30,205 units. In Australia the Porsche Cayenne SUV found 1120 homes – more than quadruple the sales of the second-best-selling 911's 276 units.

The exterior design changes that denote the 2015 models include blink-and-you'll-miss-them revisions to the front end, which now has a new bumper and grille work and a re-profiled bonnet. The headlights feature a subtle new shape and some models get new four-point "hovering" LED daytime running lights that add a technical edge.

New-look brake lights are the most obvious change to the rear end, followed by redesigned exhaust outlets which are integrated into the revised rear bumper. A powered tailgate is now standard.

Tweaks to the cabin "are focused mainly around the driver", says Porsche, with a multi-function sport steering wheel with shift paddles and tyre pressure monitoring system now standard on all models. Based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Touareg, the Cayenne can also be optioned with rear seat air vents.

Comfort levels are claimed to be improved further by new chassis tuning that improves ride quality but "without compromising dynamic pace", says Porsche.

The five engine types include a pair of turbo-diesels – a 3.0-litre V6 and a 4.2-litre V8 – which pump out 193kW/580Nm and 283kW/850Nm respectively, resulting in 0-100km/h sprint times of 7.3 and 5.4 seconds. Fuel economy has improved to 6.6L/100km for the V6 and 8L/100km for the V8.

Porsche's range-topping Cayenne Turbo comes with a revised version of the twin-turbo petrol 4.8-litre V8, which gets a power boost of 14kW and torque rise of 50Nm. Its grand total of 382kW/750Nm allows it to reach almost 280km/h after dashing 0-100km/h in a sportscar-like 4.5 seconds. Fuel economy is 11.2L/100km.

The Cayenne S's naturally-aspirated 4.8-litre V8 has been replaced by a new 3.6-litre twin-turbo petrol V6. Borrowed from the new Porsche Macan compact SUV, the engine uses significantly less fuel than the V8 – now 9.5L/100km, down from 10.5L/100km. It's still potent, developing 309kW/550Nm (an increase of 15kW/50Nm), and rockets to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds.

Perhaps the most interesting powertrain in the new 2015 Porsche Cayenne range is the S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid luxury SUV offered locally.

Like the current non-plug-in Cayenne S Hybrid ($150,400), it's powered by a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 (245kW) and an electric motor (70kW) for a combined output of 306kW/590Nm. However, because of its plug-in nature, it can drive on pure electricity for a short (undisclosed) distance. Its electric-only top speed is 125km/h, which rises to 243km/h with the petrol engine on song.

Combined fuel consumption is claimed at 3.4L/100km, which is impressive considering it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in under 6.0 seconds. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid joins Porsche's Panamera and 918 Spyder as third plug-in hybrid model in its range.

The 2014 Porsche Cayenne is priced between $100,200 and $259,600 in Australia, with 2015 model year prices to be confirmed closer to the vehicle's local launch in November.