Porsche Punches Up E-Performance Cayenne

Porsche continues its performance electrification push with the introduction of the ’19 Cayenne E-Hybrid, a plug-in gas-electric model the German automaker says adopts the same performance-hybrid strategy employed in the 918 Spyder supercar.

The company claims the new model is more powerful, quicker, has a faster top speed and can travel farther on electric-only power compared with the preceding Cayenne S E-Hybrid.

The new sports car is powered by a turbocharged 3.0L V-6 and an electric motor producing a combined output of 455 hp and 516 lb.-ft. (700 Nm) of torque. The powertrain gives the Cayenne E-Hybrid a 4.7-second 0-60 mph (97 km/h) time and a top speed of 157 mph (253 km/h), along with an electric-only range up to 27 miles (44 km) at up to 83 mph (134 km/h).

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid employed a supercharged 3.0L V-6 and an electric motor producing 416 hp and 435 lb.-ft. (590 Nm) of torque. Its 0-60 mph time was 0.7-second slower and its top speed was 151 mph (243 km/h).

The hybrid powertrain sends power to all four wheels via an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, modified for quicker reaction times and smoother shifts.

The powertrain offers four hybrid-electric drive modes in addition to Porsche’s traditional Sport and Sport Plus modes: E-Power for pure electric driving; Hybrid Auto, a new option that permits the vehicle to choose drive sources for maximum efficiency; E-Hold, a choice that conserves electric power for later use; and E-Charge that forces the gasoline engine to generate excess electricity that is stored for later use.

Battery capacity is up about 30% to 14.1 kWh compared with the previous model, yet is packaged in the same space, Porsche says. Recharge time is 2.3 to 7.8 hours on a 230-V source, depending on amperage, and is quicker than prior E-Hybrids, the company says.

The new Cayenne E-Hybrid arrives in early 2019 starting at $79,900 excluding options and a $1,050 delivery fee.

[email protected] @bobgritzinger