Porsche launches Cayenne S E-Hybrid premium SUV

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is a true world first, even outside the Porsche model range: it is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment, and it sets standards among luxurious all- wheel-drive vehicles. Its high-voltage battery enables it to be charged both at a mains supply and during the journey. Distinctive features of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid are the brake callipers in acid green and related emblems. The needles of the cockpit instruments also feature this distinctive colour.

Very clear technical advances have been made compared with the previous Cayenne S Hybrid: the Cayenne S E-Hybrid has a lithium-ion traction battery that now has an energy capacity of 10.8 kWh (previously 1.7 kWh from a nickel-metal-hydride battery). An electric range of between 18 and 36 kilometres can now be achieved, depending on driving style and topo- graphy. This means that most everyday journeys can be made without consuming any fuel or producing any local emissions. The power output of the electric motor has more than doubled – from 34 kW to 70 kW (95 hp). Combined fuel consumption has been reduced by almost 60 per cent and is now 3.4 l/100 km instead of the previous 8.2 l/100 km, cor- responding to CO2 emissions of 79 g/km. The previous model emitted 193 g/km.

The drivetrain has already proved itself in the Panamera S E-Hybrid, but it has been adapted for use in the Cayenne S E-Hybrid. The Cayenne now also offers an impressive electric dri- ving experience that the driver can control intuitively. This is enabled by an accelerator pe- dal with a pressure switching point which the driver can use to precisely regulate the elec- tric motor’s power development and activate the combustion engine. At 416 hp (306 kW), the combined system power output of the supercharged three-litre V6 engine and the electric motor coupled with a combined system torque of 590 Nm enables performance at sports car level: 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 243 km/h. The electric top speed is 125 km/h. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is networked via Porsche Car Connect (a standard feature). It is used to access information such as the state of charge or energy efficiency or to control the optional stationary heating/air conditioning. This cools and heats the ve- hicle interior when the ignition is switched off – in order to reach the desired temperature before setting off whilst the vehicle is still connected to the electrical supply. The energy nee- ded on the road is reduced and the electric range is increased.

Details of a perfect plug-in hybrid concept

The lithium-ion battery has the same housing as in the Panamera S E-Hybrid, and it is also accommodated under the luggage compartment floor. However, it features advanced battery technology and uses cells with a larger energy capacity – 28 Ah instead of 24.5 Ah.

The vehicle comes with a 3.6 kW charger as standard. An integrated charger with higher power output of 7.2 kW is available as an option; it charges the Cayenne S E-Hybrid twice as quickly as with the standard charger – assuming that an appropriate electrical connection is available. For example, in Germany the vehicle is charged in less than an hour and a half instead of just under three hours.

The pressurised fuel tank is a special feature of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid. A slight positive pressure of 0.3 bar in the tank ensures that evaporated fuel does not escape to the outside, and this improves the car’s emissions footprint. During refuelling, the tank is depressurised by pressing the fuel flap release button, and the evaporated fuel is neutralised via an activa- ted carbon filter. Needless to say, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid complies with the Euro 6 emissions standard.

High level of hybrid expertise at Porsche

Porsche is the leading supplier of premium hybrids. As the first plug-in vehicle in the luxury class, the Panamera S E-Hybrid set standards when it was launched in June 2013. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid now carries this forward-looking technology to the premium SUV seg- ment. With its record-breaking time on the Nürburgring in September 2013, the 918 Spyder demonstrated in impressive style that even super sports cars can attain new dimensions in performance with hybrid technology and are clearly able to leave conventional drive systems behind when it comes to driving dynamics and efficiency.

In this respect, the 919 Hybrid – the LMP1 class race car that Porsche uses in World Endu- rance Championship (WEC) competition – plays a pioneering role as a high-technology vehicle. It is a research laboratory on wheels for further developing hybrid technology with the aim of achieving maximum dynamics and efficiency. Its drive combines a charged V4 petrol engine that drives the rear axle with two energy recovery systems. In addition to braking regeneration, a generator driven by the exhaust-gas flow generates additional electric energy. This energy is stored in a water-cooled lithium-ion battery, and during acceleration it is fed to an electric motor which drives both front wheels via a differential. This means that the 919 Hybrid has all-wheel drive at times. The coordination of all drive components is extremely complex and has the aim of making every second on the racetrack completely predictable whilst driving with maximum precision and speed. Independent of race results, Porsche gathers knowledge and experience with every kilometre that the 919 Hybrid races, and this will help give future generations of sports cars a competitive edge.

Incidentally, the world’s first hybrid vehicle also came from Porsche: the 1899 Lohner-Porsche “Mixte” designed by Ferdinand Porsche combined a battery-electric drive with a combustion engine.