Review of the new Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid

The original Porsche Cayenne became a poster child of the luxury 4x4 sector. Towards the end, however, the Cayenne's poster was also being put up by environmentalists and people outraged by 4x4 use in urban areas when they wanted to throw darts or rotten eggs at something. Being the brashest, most imposing model in an area of the market built on being brash and imposing had its advantages and drawbacks.

In typically astute fashion, Porsche spotted that the tide of public and political opinion might have been turning against the luxury 4x4 and moved to set the record straight with the latest Cayenne. The mighty German off-roader has embarked on a charm offensive and the Cayenne S Hybrid model is leading the charge.

Massively powerful V8 models are great fun but Porsche new that it needed strong diesels and a hybrid if the second generation Cayenne was to continue the success of the first in a changing marketplace. In Europe, the regulatory framework favours diesel with its low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and under US rules, petrol/electric Hybrid technology makes sense thanks to lower outputs of particulates and nitrogen oxides. There will be some crossover too and UK buyers seeking power, refinement and manageable running costs should find that the Cayenne S Hybrid, which shares technology with hybrid versions of Audi's Q7 and Volkswagen's Touareg, delivers the goods.

Porsche's first hybrid car mates a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 petrol engine to an electric motor. The two units then work in tandem or in isolation to give optimum performance and efficiency across the full range of driving scenarios. Together, the two units have 380bhp and 580Nm of torque from just 1,000rpm, giving rise to performance that's on a par with the V8 Cayenne S model, so this hybrid isn't just an exercise in tree-hugging.

The system is governed by all kinds of clever electronics which allow it to run on the electric motor alone at speeds of up to 40mph. There's also the 'Sailing Mode' which doesn't involve hoisting the mainbrace or shivering your timbers but does allow the combustion engine to be disengaged during high speed cruising to eliminate the drag effect and improve efficiency.

"The existence of the Cayenne S Hybrid should massage the big Porsche's public image"

Differences between the Cayenne S Hybrid and the other Cayenne models are difficult to spot. The luggage floor is a little higher to accommodate the bank of nickel-metal hydride batteries and 'Hybrid' legend is spelled out on the tailgate but otherwise, it looks like a standard Cayenne.

The task of integrating traditional Porsche sportscar design cues onto a high-riding 4x4 body wasn't straightforward but this second generation model looks a successful blend of elegance and sportiness. The bonnet curls downward sharply to where the shapely intakes with their integrated fog lights create a more nuanced look than the flat aggression of the old car. There's a pronounced sporty edge to the profile thanks to the elongated nose and the steeply raked rear screen.

This model is 48mm longer than the old Cayenne with 40mm of that contained within the wheelbase and Porsche has put it to good use. The boot space is reasonable despite the presence of the Hybrid's batteries below the floor and can be extended by fiddling with the rear seats. There's quite a bit of versatility built into the back of the car with those seats able to recline into three different positions and slide forward or back by 160mm. The boot area itself is accessed by a powered tailgate and a range of cargo management options are available to hold items in place.

An 8-speed Tiptronic S comes as standard with the Cayenne Hybrid. All models in the range also get Porsche Traction Management all-wheel-drive. Standard equipment includes leather trim, climate control, parking sensors, powered front seats, a 7" touch screen display system and 18" alloy wheels.

The pricing for the Cayenne puts it squarely up against the BMW X5 and the Mercedes ML-Class which will continue to be arch rivals for the car but this hybrid model will square up more directly to other 4x4s with similar technology. The Volkswagen Touareg with which the Cayenne shares a platform is a cheaper option as is the Lexus RX450h which used to have the luxury 4x4 hybrid market sewn-up but now has a fight on its hands. In the UK, buyers will also have their heads turned by the Cayenne Diesel which is more economical, cheaper and has similar emissions levels.

With the electric motor assisting the petrol engine and acting as an alternator to recharge the battery when the Cayenne S Hybrid is coasting or braking, the car can achieve combined cycle economy of 34.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 193g/km. That doesn't make it very efficient in the context of the whole car market but it's good going for a luxury 4x4 and extremely impressive for one with 380bhp and performance to match.

The inclusion of the hybrid technology will help the Cayenne's public image but it's by no means the only concession made to efficiency in the latest model. The use of lightweight materials, particularly in the all-wheel-drive transmission, has cut the weight of the Cayenne compared to its predecessor and the Hybrid is only around 65kg heavier than a standard model. The S Tronic gearbox is designed with a wider spread of ratios to reduce strain on the engine and Auto Start Stop is standard on all models, cutting the engine when the Cayenne is stationary. .

The existence of the Cayenne S Hybrid should massage the big Porsche's public image by giving this behemoth 4x4 a softer, more environmentally-friendly side. UK buyers looking to cut costs may find the diesel option preferable but the Hybrid promises to mix strong environmental credentials with the surging performance that the range-topping Cayenne models have always been known for. People using their luxury 4x4s predominately in town will appreciate the low speed refinement and should get a more sympathetic reception on the mean streets with 'Hybrid' replacing 'Turbo' on their tailgates.

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