Atlanta, Georgia. The 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, due in South Africa before the end of the year, packs significantly more punch than either its newly-released conventional sibling or the Cayenne S E-Hybrid it replaces.
It has the same three-litre turbopetrol V6 as the standard Cayenne, rated at 250kW and 450Nm, mated to a 100kW/400Nm hybrid module derived from that used in the 918 Spyder and the Le Mans 24 Hour-winning 919 endurance racer.
The result is a a system output of 340kW from 5250-6400 revs and 700Nm from just off idle at 1000rpm, right through to 3750. It’s that instantaneous electric-motor torque delivery, says Porsche, that takes this big SUV to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and demolishes the quarter-mile (402 metres) in 13.3 seconds.
The hybrid module is mounted between the V6 and a completely new eight-speed Tiptronic S, linked by a new electromechanical clutch for quicker reaction times than the previous electrohydraulic spindle actuator. As with all Cayennes, the E-Hybrid will hit its quoted top speed of 250km/h in sixth gear - the two remaining gears are overdrive ratios for relaxed cruising.
Drive goes to all four wheels via an electronically regulated, map-controlled multiplate clutch; active suspension is standard, three-chamber air suspension an option.
There’s a new liquid-cooled battery pack with eight modules of 13 prismatic lithium ion cells each under the floor of the luggage compartment, increasing capacity by about 30 percent to 14.1kWh. Porsche quotes a pure-electric range of up to 44km and top speed of 133km/h - although not at the same time.
Recharging from a dead-flat battery using a 10-amp, 220-volt domestic socket and the standard 3.6kW onboard charger takes almost eight hours, but a 230-volt, 32-amp industrial supply and the optional 7.2kW charger will cut that to about 140 minutes.
The new Cayenne E-Hybrid comes with the Sport Chrono Package as standard; all 2019 Cayennes also now have massaging seats, a heated windshield, a head-up display, and for the first time on any Porsche, 22 inch wheels.
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And finally, the Cayenne E-Hybrid gets the same visual distinctions as other Porsche plug-in hybrid models - acid green brake callipers, matching outlines around all of the badges, and green needles on the Sport Chrono dial and the rev counter, as well as special displays in for the state of charge, electricity consumption and hybrid drive mode selections.