2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid gets Electric Boost Porsche has revealed full details of its Cayenne E-Hybrid, that’s now available to order from £67,183, with the first UK cars already in showrooms. It boasts significant performance gains over the previous model, mainly thanks to a lot more electric boost that should also give owners a kick in the back more often.
The electric motor’s power output has jumped to 135bhp – a 43 per cent increase – that combines with the revised 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine to give a total of 456bhp and 516lb ft of torque from just above tickover.
It’s enough to see the big SUV rocket from 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds and run onto 157mph, while a ‘boost strategy’ derived from the 918 Spyder hypercar adjusts how electric power is deployed via the chosen driving mode. Choose Sport and the battery is charged just enough for a new boost from the electric motor, while in Sport Plus mode the battery is recharged as rapidly as possible. Less aggressive driving modes instead tailor boost and recharging for maximum efficiency.
The system is also paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission, for all-round faster responses. Battery capacity has been increased from 10.8 to 14.1kWh and the fluid-cooled pack of 104 lithiumion cells is placed beneath the boot floor. Charging times span from just under eight hours for a domestic supply to just over two hours for a 7.2kW fast-charger, providing an all-electric range of up to 27 miles at a maximum speed of 83mph. Depending on wheel and tyre sizes, fuel economy is 83.1 to 88.3mpg when tested under the NEDC system.
Owners will be able to check where the nearest charging point is, their Cayenne’s status and even set its climate control remotely via the Porsche Connect smartphone app. While not launched in the UK just yet, a Porsche Charging Service is also in the works that will allow owners to use a variety of public charging points via a single Porsche registration and with a single bill.
There will be no penalties for choosing the E-Hybrid if you own a large trailer or caravan, because it can haul a 3,500kg braked load and features the same chassis and off-road capabilities as the non-electrified Cayenne. It will also be the first Porsche available with a headup display, with full-colour information projected onto the windscreen. Other new features include massage seats, a heated windscreen and 22-inch wheels, although exact UK specifications are still to be confirmed.
