Porsche Goes Hybrid
Sunday July 29, 2007
2009 is the year that the Cayenne will go on a diet. This sport utility will cut its fuel usage by almost one third for a fuel economy rating between 24 and 26 miles per gallon, compared to the conventional Cayenne which gets only 18.5 mpg. Yes, if you've got the cash, you'll be able to hit speeds of 70 mph on the full hybrid's electric motor alone - once you're up to speed, that is. And that's faster than any current hybrids today - say, as compared to the Nissan Altima Hybrid or Toyota Camry Hybrid (we cruised in the 35-40 mph range in both of these). Current model Cayennes start at $44,000, and Porsche's first hybrid will be in that range also. There are also plans for the fourth models of the four-door Panamera coupe (Gran Turismo) to be offered in a hybrid version, but don't hold your breath for any hybrid Boxster/Cayman or 911 models. It's all part of steps that manufacturers are taking to meet the increasingly tight regulations in Europe. New European Commission rules aim to chop CO2 and the corresponding greenhouse gases to an average 130 grams of CO2 per km by 2012 by developing more efficient engine technology. Compare that to the 320 to 389 grams per km that a Cayenne currently exhausts. Looks like hybrid choices keep getting better and better. And faster.
image © Porsche - Porsche Cayenne Hybrid prototype
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