2020 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid - Porsche's Newest Eco-Performance SUV
The third iteration of the Porsche Cayenne is a clear cut above the previous two in terms of comfort, driving dynamics, ergonomics and overall quality. The E-Hybrid model in
particular is 55 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, yet longer, wider, roomier and equipped with more standard features. Credit goes to the aluminum body panels and
numerous alloys that contribute to less weight and more rigidity.
Inside, a crystal-clear, high-resolution 12.3-inch touchscreen sits in the middle of a clean-looking dashboard. In front of the driver is the traditional five-dial cluster in
911 fashion, with configurable instruments sourced from the 918 Spyder. A more direct tie to the latter can be found in the drive mode knob located under the horizontal spoke
of the beautiful, leather-trimmed steering wheel.
The centre console features touch-sensitive icons and four HVAC controls, plus a rotary controller for the main interface, another for the electronic parking brake, the
transmission selector and buttons for the adjustable damping and stability control systems. It’s a much simpler layout than the old one, which resembled a scientific
calculator. And it all works like a charm.
A Sleeper of a Hybrid
Naturally, Porsche designed the Cayenne E-Hybrid powertrain with a focus on performance, but that doesn’t mean it’s not efficient or frugal. The engineers improved the
capacity of the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery by 30 percent, from 10.9 kWh to 14.1 kWh, without increasing its size or weight. They also built a 134-horsepower electric
motor with 43 percent more output than the previous unit.
With the 335 horsepower generated by the turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, the 2019 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid has a combined rating of 456 horsepower. It can sprint from 0-100 km/h in
just 5.0 seconds, reach a top speed of 253 km/h and tow up to 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds) with the optional package. The company promises a range of 44 kilometres in EV
mode and a fuel consumption as low as 3.4 L/100 km based on the highly optimistic European test standards. The numbers for North America have yet to be announced.
The beauty of the new Cayenne E-Hybrid lies in the near-perfect integration of the two power sources and the seamless transitions between them. It’s a radical departure from
the previous generation, which felt hesitating, jerky and even noisy in pure electric driving. Now the vehicle always starts in E-Power mode, just like the 918 Spyder.
You can then switch to Hybrid Auto, Sport or Sport Plus mode at will using the aforementioned knob on the steering wheel. The electric propulsion intensifies in the process
and the combustion engine simultaneously charges the battery in Sport Plus mode. Alternatively, you can preserve the battery or resume charging by selecting E-Hold or E-
Charge, respectively, on the centre screen.
The Cayenne E-Hybrid's $82,450 price point and performance capabilities put it in close competition with the Cayenne S. Starting at $85,650, the Cayenne S has more power but
roughly 100 fewer lb-ft of torque than the E-Hybrid. Even so, its lower weight helps it hit 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds with the Sport Chrono package — 0.1 second quicker than the
E-Hybrid. If you want a more dynamic Cayenne, the S is probably the way to go.
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