2009 Porsche Cayenne To Be Hot And Hybrid

cpruitt submitted on 03/07/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 1:22 PM
from: blogs.automotive.com

Tags: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

2009 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

2009 Porsche Cayenne To Be Hot And Hybrid

Luxury carmaker Porsche has announced that it is developing a hybrid version of its popular Cayenne SUV.

Michael Winkler, Porsche managing director for the automaker’s Australian branch, made the announcement at this month’s Melbourne Motor Show.

The hybrid trim will be available by 2009. AutoInsider also confirmed that the upcoming four-door Panamera will also have a hybrid system available.

Our take? It’s interesting that the German automakers, who have opposed hybrid systems, are suddenly embracing them. Could it be that Lexus, with its numerous hybrid offerings and a direct competitor to Germany’s best (especially with BMW), is finally impacting sales?

Or, more likely, the European Union's recent displeasure with German automakers lack-of-compliance with emission standards is the cause. Whatever the reason, we just hope Porsche tunes its hybrid offerings to maintain their trademark sportiness. Read Article

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Will_ - 3/7/2007 1:34:02 PM

+3 Boost

The pioneering RX400h will finally get a competitor. ;)

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SupraNeverBack - 3/7/2007 2:35:34 PM

+2 Boost

Will it use Toyota hybrid system?

I guess so.

thetanman - 3/7/2007 1:45:11 PM

+4 Boost

I maybe alone on this, but I think they should go the X5 route and make an on-road only SUV (SAV, whatever). Don't get me wrong, I admire the engineering to create a capable on and off road vehicle, but jeez, what percentage of Cayenne owners off road? I'm sure a more attractive, better handling car would result.

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truecarlover - 3/8/2007 9:55:43 AM

+1 Boost

I hear what you are saying but remember - this is an SUV - not a car. Personally I don't see the sense in carrying around all that extra mass and weight unless you have to use it for a purpose. To me an SUV that can't go off-road is a waste. It's better to get a station wagon - in many cases they offer the same about of space and they drive much better. Audi, BMW, Volvo and Mercedes all make nice wagons. An SUV should be an SUV - that's why in my book Range Rover will always be king. This is just my opinion.

joela - 3/7/2007 2:26:48 PM

0 Boost

no it wasn't, Sevorbeupstry. it shouldn't have been difficult to whip up something to fit under the Cayenne's bonnet. bmw and daimlerchrysler are waking up to the fact that hybrids are way more environmentally-friendly than their cleanest diesel.

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SupraNeverBack - 3/7/2007 2:55:40 PM

-1 Boost

Another reason is Gas-hybrid will be cheaper than Diesel and get better MPG too. Of course, Diesel has no substitute on heavy duty vehicles.

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1970toyotamarc - 3/7/2007 3:28:35 PM

+2 Boost

Thats like saying that GM didnt have the first electric vehicle (EV1) because there were electric vehicles in 1905. I dont care if Audi had a concept at some auto show in the 90s, or if someone came up with the idea 70 years ago to add an electric motor to a car with a gas engine. Toyota had the first produced and marketed hybrid (Japanese Prius) and the first luxury hybrid (RX). Could we stop with the lies about Germans having it first, please???!!!

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/7/2007 6:19:17 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

1970toyotamarc, surprisingly, I agree. I think that excuse is getting old... and fast.

Some of the people on this site just sound like a broken record.

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Autoegr525 - 3/7/2007 2:03:56 PM

0 Boost

Yea an even heavier Cayenne is a great idea...

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naech - 3/7/2007 2:17:22 PM

+1 Boost

Are you really surprised that there is a
non objective article on here. I dont remember the last unbiased article i read here

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joela - 3/7/2007 2:38:51 PM

+2 Boost

i aint. if i wanted to read stats, i check out porsche's site or the newspaper. the above article's a blog post: it should have some opinion even when their wrong :)

answer - 3/7/2007 4:13:20 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Hybrid Cayenne. Cool, but...it is time for the 928 to be reborn!

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/7/2007 6:19:58 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That would make sense. Sporty CL competitor.

EL34 - 3/7/2007 7:09:11 PM

+2 Boost

The Germans invent everything.

Why is it?

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rack - 3/7/2007 8:03:11 PM

+2 Boost

Hitler drove around a hybrid maybach.

huu76 - 3/7/2007 8:13:10 PM

-1 Boost

EL34,
The Germans must've invented math and writing 5000 years ago?

Anyway, of course Porsche will tune it for performance, Lexus has already proven hybrids can do economy or performance.

The Germans have finally realized it's easier to be clean when you don't make it in the first place, rather than coming up with schemes to hide their excessive emissions.

Will be interesting to see what the pro-diesel crowd says now, now that BMW/MB have had to give in to common sense.

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/7/2007 10:28:50 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

"...Lexus has already proven hybrids can do economy or performance."

I don't remember any economical Lexus hybrids. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lexus uses the oxymoron "performance hybrid" to mask their hybrid cars' relatively average fuel economy.

I don't see any reason to buy a GS450h over a GS350, to be honest.

Threepoint1415926 - 3/7/2007 11:06:23 PM

+2 Boost

Well, they did invent the printing press and Euler (one of the most important mathematicians of all time) did come from Germany... :)

As a pro diesel crowd member, I say to you that the dust to dust energy of a Prius is the same as a Hummer H3 effectively killing the "Prius is better for the environment" argument and the notion that a hybrid in any fashion negates it from making excessive emissions during its life. http://www.cnwmr.com The reason people complain about diesels is because you can see their pollution where you cant with a hybrid. "Out of sight, out of mind."

I also know that the Mercedes S-Class (diesel included - a supposed wasteful pig) is the first car ever to receive an environmental certificate from the German Commission on Technical Compliance (TÜV), which confirmed its environmentally friendly development in accordance with requirements of the International Standard Organization (ISO), whatever that means.

1970toyotamarc - 3/8/2007 4:08:16 PM

+1 Boost

Unfortunately, S4, you are right about there not being a compelling reason to by a GS450h over a GS350. But the 450h came out when Lexus was still selling the GS300, and for that year it made perfect sense. Now the GS350 is just too good, and presumably a hot GS460 is around the corner. We'll have to wait and see what the next hybrid will be paired with, because the basic 6 and 8 cylinder engines have just gotten so good, that right now the addition of the hybrid isn's adding up. The RX400h is in the same conundrum, as the RX350 has the same performance as the hybrid, with decent fuel economy and emissions. It's cyclical. One engine improves, then the next one is updated a few years later. I'm sure Lexus has something up there sleeves for the next go round.

Lexus - 3/7/2007 8:13:14 PM

-1 Boost

Porsche copying Toyota/Lexus which is not a bad idea after all. I would've never thought that Porsche would copy Toyota;) in making hybrid model of it own.

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MObar - 3/7/2007 8:15:24 PM

-1 Boost

Question is, how will the performance be compared to the revised 2008 Cayenne, and how much more will it cost?

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/7/2007 10:30:03 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

NOBODY IS COPYING TOYOTA.

Why does everyone say "copying this, copying that"?

How juvenile!

I mean honestly, can none of you remember that the Honda Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid? I'm not saying anything about copying, but Toyota's marketing has brainwashed some of you so well that you think Toyota had the idea before everyone else.

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Lexus - 3/7/2007 11:40:30 PM

0 Boost

S4, come down...before your pop your brain because are so mad my comment. Ha...ha...ha...Don't take so personal. I wonder when will Audi join the bandwagon, probably soon. Since VW own Audi so they probably might want to make a hybrid S4 or something. What do you think S4? would you buy a hybrid S4? LOL ;) he...he...

S4, don't take my comment to personal man, I'm posting from my opinion. Not everything I say is right, but most do.

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dicar - 3/8/2007 1:00:22 AM

+1 Boost

Germany copied the wheel of ancient Sumer.
haha,

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truecarlover - 3/8/2007 9:48:42 AM

+1 Boost

All major automakers will have to build hybrids - just like the Japanese will also be building diesels as part of the overall strategy. I recall sometime last year Audi showed a Q7 hybrid concept. One of the executives at the company was recently asked about it at the Detroit auto show and his reply was something to the effect of "it's no secret we don't really like hybrid technology - but the truth is you have to build what the market dictates" (not the exact quote). It reminds me that when Porsche first announced they were even building an SUV and they engineers didn't like the idea but the admitted they had to build what would make the company prosperous. Cars are a hobby to me - but this is a business for them.

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Threepoint1415926 - 3/8/2007 10:30:27 PM

+1 Boost

Well said.

Agent63 - 3/8/2007 10:18:51 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I think even though it's going to be a hybrid, it may not be competing against the RX hybrid. It's a different class of SUV though they have the same technology.

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racer_65 - 3/13/2007 11:03:06 PM

+1 Boost

Hybrids provide only marginally better fuel economy in heavier/larger vehicles. In the case of Lexus, the MPG is nowhere near the EPA figure during real life driving conditions. It'll take the consumer at least 3 years to get back the extra money they paid for a hybrid vehicle. By that time, many Porsche owners would be trading in their vehicle. At the end of the day, the environmental benefit is also questionable. All those big batteries need to be disposed of somehow.

I'm just not buying into the Hybrid idea. At least with a diesel, you know that fuel economy will be awesome.

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