Talk about having your cake and eating it, too.
PGA Cars has brought into the country the alpha variant of the Porsche Cayenne, which continues the SUV nameplate’s path into a new chapter that is more eco-conscious, while simultaneously pushing the envelope of performance.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid (available in SUV and Coupé guises) is said to be the “crowning touch” of the Cayenne model line, boasting a robust V8 engine supplemented by an electric motor. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has 729hp and 950Nm on tap, and Porsche said that the new hybrid technology it banners helps the vehicle realize “greater electric range” and “faster charging.”
This ties in with the overall strategy of the Stuttgart-headquartered sports car brand to systematically electrify its vehicle portfolio. Reuters reported that Porsche brass has committed to realize 80% of sales from electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Only the iconic 911 is expected to remain internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered in the foreseeable future, a top executive had said.
Still part of the nameplate’s third generation, the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid replaces the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid – also the most powerful version of its contemporary kind. Engineers worked on surpassing the abilities of that iteration, succeeding in “achieving significant gains in electric range and performance.”
The aforementioned total system output factors in 130kW (176ps) from the electric motor, adding to the “extensively reworked” 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 mill which submits 599ps. All these numbers translate to, among other performance attributes, a standstill-to-100kph time of 3.7 ticks – onward to a top rate of 295kph.
As a PHEV, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid can offer up to 82km of pure electric range – also due in part to a higher-capacity battery (rated at 25.9kWh). A new 11kW onboard charger can fill up that battery with juice in as little as 2.5 hours.
Another model highlight is adaptive air suspension, featuring new two-chamber, two-valve technology – leading to increased comfort and safety. The tech allows for the adjustment of the rebound and compression stages of the suspension. “The suspension combines confident handling in dynamic cornering with comfort-focused characteristics in slow driving situations and maximum suppression of pitch and roll. Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) is also standard in the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and rear-axle steering are available as options,” explained PGA Cars.
Among aesthetic changes – also resulting in enhanced performance – is Turbo-variant-specific front-fascia styling: larger cooling air intakes with gloss-black airblades, trims on the wheel arches, body-colored rear bumper, and two twin tailpipes in brushed stainless steel.
In the cabin are aluminium inlays in the dashboard and the door panel; the roof lining is in Race-Tex material. The Turbo E-Hybrid receives a GT sports steering wheel, a mode switch for fast and direct selection of the desired driving mode, and 18-way adjustable leather sports seats. Fourteen-way adjustable leather comfort seats are also available.
The model also reflects updates to the nameplate made last year: an all-digital instrument cluster in a curved and free-standing design with variable display options, a redesigned centre console, and an optional passenger display. Its signature four-point high-resolution HD-Matrix LED headlights “offer greater comfort and safety in the dark.”