Porsche held an international media road test event recently in Germany for the testing of the world’s first luxury SUV plug-in hybrid. The new Cayenne S E-Hybrid was put to the test for the first time, proving that performance and efficiency can be delivered in equal measure.
The new 2015 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid is the third production PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) for the German automaker, joining the super sports car, 918 Spyder, and the Panamera S E-Hybrid. Porsche is now the first and only automaker with three plug-in hybrid models.
The PHEV covered a total distance of more than 4,200 kilometres, using an average fuel consumption of just 5.6 l/100 km with the best result coming in as low as 1.4 l/100 km, making it two litres below the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) fuel consumption level of 3.4 l/100 km.
The media also got to experience the drive of the Panamera S E-Hybrid along the same routes in the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The plug-in hybrid model of Porsche’s grand tourer also impressed with its fuel consumption figures. Due to the vehicles weight advantage, rear-wheel drive and lower wind resistance, it produced an average fuel consumption of 5.4 l/100 km.
Both PHEV models were driven through villages, country roads and onto the highways, and in certain areas had free reign from no speed limits. Between these different routes, which ranged from 36 to 56 kilometres, it was proven that the all-electric range of 36 kilometres with fuel consumption of 0.0 l/100 km and zero local emissions is achievable in practice, not just in the NEDC on a test bench.
The Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid delivers 306 kW of power and provides a 5.9 second 0-100 km/h time with a top speed of 243 km/h.
The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is already available in countries like Dubai and Canada. What sounds to be another magnificent Porsche product, South African consumers will have to wait until mid-2015 to set their hands on it, although order books for the Cayenne S E-Hybrid are already open and attached to a base price of R1,133,000 with the 3 year Driveplan.