Click the Cayenne Hybrid for a high-res gallery
Joining in on the hybrid party, Porsche had the North American debut of the "upcoming" Cayenne hybrid at the LA Auto Show. Porsche has developed their hybrid system to be adaptable to a variety of platforms including the four-door Panamera that debuts in 2009. While the Cayenne uses nickel metal hydride battery like other current hybrids, Porsche is making some pretty fantastic claims about the capability of their system. The Cayenne hybrid can reportedly zip around at speeds of up to 75 mph on battery power alone. Although they would not say what the capacity of the battery is, it doesn't seem to be any larger than the one used in other vehicles of this type. It is unlikely the Cayenne can get up to 75 mph from a standstill on the battery. Instead it can probably shut off the engine at speed and "coast" on battery power for several miles maintaining speed. Porsche also wouldn't say specifically when the hybrid will launch, other than "by the end of the decade". Whether that means the end of 2009 or 2010 is also unclear. Porsche is targeting 26 mpg (US) on the EU combined cycle.
[Source: Porsche]
1. You need roughly 75 horsepower to cruise at 75mph in an SUV with the aerodynamics of a brick. Getting up to that speed on battery power alone wouldn't be the issue, as long as you accept modest acceleration at the higher speeds. All-electric range will likely be extremely modest at that speed.
The point here is that Porsche is tuning its hybrid system for higher power rather than all-electric range or fuel economy. Honda already tried this with its Accord Hybrid and discovered that US customers strongly associate "hybrid" with "fuel economy", so sales were disappointing. Porsche customers are in a different league, but at just 26mpg they will get very little green cred for having bought a hybrid.
What the Cayenne needs is a six-cylinder diesel with dual chargers: one advanced supercharger (e.g. Integral Powertrain Supergen) for immediate throttle response plus a largish turbo for high power. VW uses a similar approach in its 1.4L TSI inline four gasoline engine. BMW uses sequential turbos on its newest 3L straight six diesel.
Posted at 9:52AM on Nov 15th 2007 by rgseidl