Currently reading: Porsche Cayenne - official details
Cayenne Hybrid confirmed; on sale later this year

Details of the second-generation Porsche Cayenne have been leaked out two months before the upmarket four-wheel drive’s public unveiling at the Geneva motor show.

The information brings to light the all-new-for-2010 Cayenne’s five-strong range of engines, including the first details on the new petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain it will share with the second-generation Volkswagen Touareg, alongside which it has once again been conceived, developed and engineered.

New Porsche Cayenne spy pictures

As with its predecessor, the second-generation Cayenne will continued be manufactured at parent company Volkswagen’s factory in Bratislava, Slovakia alongside the new Volkswagen Touareg and existing Audi Q7, with final assembly at Porsche’s Leipzig plant in Germany alongside the Panamera.

Porsche will also continue offering its new four-wheel drive system with the choice of three petrol engines – all updated versions of the units used in the outgoing first-generation model. They include a 296bhp 3.6-litre V6 in the entry level Cayenne, a 395bhp naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V8 in the mid-range Cayenne S and a range-topping 493bhp turbocharged 4.8-litre V8 in the top-of-the-line Cayenne Turbo.

Also planned from the outset of UK sales in May is a successor to the Cayenne Diesel running a lightly modified version of the existing model’s Volkswagen-developed 237bhp 3.0-litre V6.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

The big news, however, is Porsche’s decision to add a Cayenne Hybrid to its ranks as part of efforts to give its new four-wheel drive a more environmentally friendly image than its predecessor. Set to form an integral part of the new line-up, it uses an Audi developed 328bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine in combination with a 46bhp electric motor that draws energy from a lithium ion battery mounted within spare wheel well in the floor of the boot. It's an arrangement that will be mirrored in the upcoming Panamera Hybrid. Official Porsche figures put combined reserves at 375bhp – or just 20bhp shy of the Cayenne S.

All second-generation Cayenne models will receive a new eight-speed automatic boasting an automatic stop/start function as well as brake energy regeneration as standard. Porsche claims fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 23 per cent, with three of the five new Cayenne models registering better than 28mpg on the combined European cycle.

More specific is its claim for the new Cayenne Hybrid, which Porsche says returns an impressive 34.5mpg, making it the most fuel efficient model in the entire Porsche line-up while endowing it with a CO2 emission rating under 200g/km.

Lower weight

Improvement in engine efficiency is not the sole source of the reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Porsche has also managed to cut the weight of its SUV by up to 10 per cent, with the mid-range Cayenne S having shed an impressive 180kg at 2065kg according to Porsche’s official information. This despite claims that the new model boasts 70kg more standard equipment than its predecessor.

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The reduction in weight has been achieved through a new production process for the doors that saves 39kg, a decision to ditch the transfer case with its low speed gearing and use an added number of aluminium chassis components shaves a further 66kg while a new wiring loom is said to be 10kg lighter.

Further reductions come through optimisation in the construction of the Cayenne’s bodyshell, which uses a combination of steel for the main structure and aluminum for the bonnet, tailgate and all four doors.

More space

Porsche is yet to release official dimensions for the new Cayenne but does reveal its wheelbase has grown by 40mm to 2895mm. There are also as-yet-unspecified increases in the length of the front and rear tracks. In an attempt to address one of the first generation Cayenne’s major failings, namely its flat rear bench seat and lack of rear legroom, the second generation model gets a more heavily contoured sliding rear bench that can be adjusted by 160mm fore-and-aft and uses a back rest that can be adjusted by six degrees.

Despite its more heavily angled rear window, boot capacity also benefits from Porsche’s repackaging efforts. It has increased by 120-litres, taking from 550-litres to 670-litres. With all new Cayenne models destined to receive a folding rear seat, maximum luggage capacity grows to 1780-litres. As part of Porsche’s weight saving efforts, however, the retractable rear window has been deleted.

Although Porsche has decided to provide the new Cayenne with a conventional automatic gearbox without a separate transfer case for low range gearing, engineers claim its off-road ability is every bit as good as that of the old model owing, in part, to its lower kerb weight.

At the same time, they say it on-road dynamics have benefited greatly and suggest it will run rings around the BMW X6 – the rival they used as a dynamic benchmark during the final test phase.

Greg Kable

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Harry_Boy 12 January 2010

Re: Porsche Cayenne - official details

BillGreen0_0 wrote:

Each to their own, but the X6 is no beauty either. And, money no issue, would anyone seriously chose a BMW over a Porsche? Sorry, but the BMW badge just doesn't have that sort of reach.

I've had my 2009 Cayenne GTS since new, after a couple of BMW M3s (both E46s) and I'm delighted with it. Wins hands down on build, handling and enjoyment, as well as the noise the thing makes. Its as quick as you could ever want to go and is also much more exclusive than any X5/6. Again, each to their own, but I think it looks great. Cayennes have been let down before by Porsche fitting tiny wheels to such a big car, but I ordered mine with 21" body-colour-matched wheels and it works well.

Do agree with others on the look of the new one - its odd....but then, people where saying that about the new 5-series when it appeared, but we all love it now. We get used to it. The M5 is one of the best cars I've driven.

On MPG, I get around 19/20 from mine around town and 25 on motorways. Again, far less economical than other cars, but its powered by a 4.8l V8, so be realistic.

GTS is also a considerable step up from the S, in terms of performance & quality, whereas the Turbo is plainly mad. Try one, you may be converted, you may not.

Have tried several, Bill, and I love them all. I agree that the Cayenne is mistakenly hated by too many people, but most of the detractors have never even sat in one, never mind driven one. It really is a superb piece of engineering excellence.

BillGreen0_0 12 January 2010

Re: Porsche Cayenne - official details

Each to their own, but the X6 is no beauty either. And, money no issue, would anyone seriously chose a BMW over a Porsche? Sorry, but the BMW badge just doesn't have that sort of reach.

I've had my 2009 Cayenne GTS since new, after a couple of BMW M3s (both E46s) and I'm delighted with it. Wins hands down on build, handling and enjoyment, as well as the noise the thing makes. Its as quick as you could ever want to go and is also much more exclusive than any X5/6. Again, each to their own, but I think it looks great. Cayennes have been let down before by Porsche fitting tiny wheels to such a big car, but I ordered mine with 21" body-colour-matched wheels and it works well.

Do agree with others on the look of the new one - its odd....but then, people where saying that about the new 5-series when it appeared, but we all love it now. We get used to it. The M5 is one of the best cars I've driven.

On MPG, I get around 19/20 from mine around town and 25 on motorways. Again, far less economical than other cars, but its powered by a 4.8l V8, so be realistic.

GTS is also a considerable step up from the S, in terms of performance & quality, whereas the Turbo is plainly mad. Try one, you may be converted, you may not.

overboost 11 January 2010

Re: Porsche Cayenne - official details

The MPG increase is good news. I know someone with an S version and if he got over 15mpg it was a good day. He spends more time refueling it, than it does parked.Its OK when fuel was as cheap as premium bottled water but those days are gone. Its also seen as being as eco friendly as a hummer. Will Euroland get the Hybrid as the Diesel seems to offer more in Euroland. Would prefer if Porsche had made their own Diesel but there are barges in the US with hybrids so Porsche has to follow. Think it's a joke to say the axing of the low range gears has no impact on off-road ability but then again how many Cayenne go off-road bar muddy fields for the Horse box towing or the boat off the slipway. If the Range Rover Sport gets away with fancy electronics then so can Porsche. Might we see the demise of the V8 and see a higher spec V6 - perhaps a super Hybrid. If the Yanks stop buying the V8 then it will be dumped as the US is the biggest market.