A source within Porsche has confirmed to just-auto.com that the company will add a plug-in hybrid derivative to the Cayenne range when the model has its mid-life facelift in 2014.
The second generation of the big SUV was launched at the 2010 Geneva show. The Porsche insider would not confirm precisely when next year the updated model would appear but claimed Geneva was “unlikely”, hinting that it would instead have its global debut during the second half of 2014.
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Production of the petrol-electric plug-in will be alongside existing Cayenne variants at the Leipzig plant. Cayenne bodies are made at the Volkswagen Group’s Bratislava plant then transported to the Porsche facility in Saxony and this will also be the case with the PHEV.
The Cayenne S E-Hybrid would have the same supercharged 3.0-litre petrol V6 and electric motor powertrain as the newly-launched Panamera S E-Hybrid. Combined power for the Panamera PHEV is 416hp. As with that model, 3D-effect silver and acid green badges on the front doors and tailgate will likely distinguish the plug-in derivative, along with matching green brake callipers.
Before the arrival of the updated Cayenne and the plug-in hybrid variant, Porsche will unveil the Macan, its Audi Q5-based rival for the five-door Range Rover Evoque. It will be launched at November’s LA auto show, reportedly in top-spec Macan S and Macan Turbo forms, with the cheaper Macan and Macan Diesel to follow in 2014. There may also be a Macan S Hybrid.
A targa body style for the 911 is expected to debut at January’s NAIAS, to be followed by GTS derivatives of the Boxster and Cayman at April’s Beijing motor show.
Author: Glenn Brooks
