New Cayenne details released

Porsche has released selected details on the all-new Cayenne SUV ahead of its Geneva début next week. The new high-performance SUV range arrives lighter and more fuel efficient that ever before and now includes a hybrid model for the first time.

Powered by a combination of a supercharged petrol V6 and an electric motor (both also feature in the new Touareg Hybrid), the Cayenne S Hybrid is a definite to come Down Under -- unlike its VW equivalent. Indeed, Porsche Australia sources are looking to the hybrid model to account for up to 15 per cent of local Cayenne sales.

Alongside the headline S Hybrid model, the new Cayenne range will comprise Turbo, V8-engined S and V6 petrol and diesel models. Most will feature auto stop-start and will deliver economy improvements of up to 23 per cent in comparison to the models they replace.

The S Hybrid and V8 models will go on sale in Australia in late July this year. V6 diesel and petrol models will follow "later" says Porsche Cars Australia. Expect them by the end of Q3 is the inside mail.

While the V6 turbodiesel and petrol S Hybrid models feature VW Group sourced powerplants, the petrol V6 and V8 and bi-turbo V8 engines are all bespoke Porsche designs. In short, the new Cayenne petrol models benefit from the engine room changes brought to the eight-cylinder powerplants via the Panamera development program. As reported last week, the 3.6 V6 petrol engine used in the Cayenne and the Panamera and Panamera 4 is a new 'abbreviated' version of the 4.8-litre Porsche V8.

The new Cayenne range also sees the introduction of a new eight-speed version of Porsche's Tiptronic automatic transmission (see below).

The mechanicals reside in a freshly styled, re-proportioned body shell that features a new lighter all-wheel-drive system. The new Cayenne's wheelbase has been stretched 40mm but overall length is only up 48mm. Porsche promises increased interior space.

Cabin amenity is improved thanks to a Panamera-style centre console and more flexible seating options. "The rear seat moves fore-and-aft by 160 mm, with the backrest angle adjusting to three different settings," Porsche states. No additional interior dimensions have been released.

Weights have been decreased substantially over the first generation Porsche offroader, says the German car maker, with the Cayenne S V8 model claimed to be 180kg lighter than the current car. The current S weighs in at a none-too-svelte kerb weight of 2225kg.

A key part of this weight reduction is Cayenne's "new active and extra-light" all-wheel-drive system. Essentially, Porsche has dumped the old car's transfer case and thus no longer offers a low ratio drive option. Porsche insiders nonetheless promise the car's offroad ability has hardly been dented thanks to the 'active' pre-emptive nature of the new drivetrain's hardware and calibration, and also the advent of a super-low first gear ratio within the eight-speed auto.

Porsche is championing the efficiency of the new vehicle (see below) but insiders are also claiming the car's dynamics have taken a step forward. They promise a further step forward when the more road-oriented Cayenne GTS is replaced down the track. There is no GTS in the launch line-up.

Cayenne models account for around 50 per cent of Porsche's sale volume Down Under.

Look out for more on the new Cayenne as part of our coverage of the 2010 Geneva Auto Salon next week.

Model Previous kW / New kW, L/100km Change:
Cayenne Turbo 368/368, 11.5L/100km  – 23%
Cayenne S 283/294,  10.5L/100km  – 23%
Cayenne Hybrid S n/a/279,  8.2L/100km  – n/a
Cayenne V6 diesel 176 /176,  7.4L/100km  – 20%
Cayenne V6 petrol 213/220,  9.9L/100km  – 20%

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