While we've been expecting a hybrid Porsche Panamera for a while now, Porsche today made it official that such a vehicle will indeed be coming. The hybrid powertrain in the Panamera will be the same full parallel system as is in the Cayenne hybrid, which should reduce fuel consumption by 30 percent. And let's not forget that the Cayenne hybrid can go 75mph on battery power alone. The batteries in the Panamera will be below the luggage compartment. What's real nice is that, depending on driving style, either the gasoline or electric motors can propel the SUV alone; alternately both can work together for "fuel savings in both city and highway driving and maximum performance when desired." The Panamera will be unveiled in 2009, and the hybrid version will follow the gas-only model to the showrooms at a date yet to be specified.

[Source: Porsche via Autobog]

Porsche representatives were pro-hybrid at the recent LA Auto Show, promoting the message that the company's hybrids will go 75 MPH on battery power alone. The news since then has been a little more tepid. Today, Automotive News (subs req'd) is saying that Porsche's skepticism about hybrid sales means that the release of the Cayenne hybrid has been pushed back to 2010. One Porsche manager told ANE's partner Automobilwoche that "Though there is still no decision on the planned introduction date of the hybrid version of our Cayenne SUV, I'm sure we'll only introduce the new system with the start of the next SUV generation in 2010." The possibility that Porsche hybrids in the U.S. is "also apparently smaller than initially thought," ANE writer Henning Krogh says, so all of you waiting for a hybrid Panamera can keep on waiting until 2011 (at least).

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[Source: Henning Krogh / Automotive News Europe]

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]

German sports car maker Porsche has been complaining bitterly about the proposed European Union carbon dioxide emissions standards for cars. After all, Porsche exclusively builds high-powered sports cars and overweight SUVs. However none of that means that Porsche is sitting on their hands while new rules are being debated. For some time now they have been working on a parallel hybrid power-train for the Cayenne SUV that will also go into its platform mates the VW Touareg and Audi Q7 as well as the upcoming Panamera sedan. Porsche demonstrated the Cayenne Hybrid to some European press this summer, but we'll be getting our look at it this week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Stay tuned for more on this one.

[Source: German Car Scene]