Ever since it first entered the market, the Porsche Cayenne started gaining worldwide recognition thanks to the powerful engines, great styling and high-quality interior. That’s why it has sold very well despite its high price tag. Since there have been a lot of eco-friendly vehicles in recent years that have been popular among consumers, in 2010, this German car manufacturer decided to launch an SUV that will use alternative sources of energy. So, they came up with the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, as one of the first high-performance SUVs in the world that doesn’t run exclusively on internal combustion engines.
The Cayenne S Hybrid uses a 3.0-liter, V6 engine, which provides 333 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an electric motor providing an additional 47 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. It comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a standard all-wheel-drive. The supercharged diesel engine makes for an improved fuel efficiency, but the hybrid powertrain does affect its ability for a sporty, aggressive ride.
It’s a very environmentally-friendly vehicle all around, that goes beyond the fuel efficiency, which by the way is rated at 20 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway, and low emission levels. It has a lightweight construction, with an axle construction made of aluminum and plastic, decreasing the overall weight of the vehicle and improving driving dynamics.
Furthermore, the gasoline-engine models use fuels that have up to 10% ethanol content, reducing carbon dioxide emission even more. It also features parts that are made of lightweight materials, that have a very long lifespan, requiring minimum maintenance, such as the stainless-steel exhaust, or the oil filter, which has a recoverable paper element in it, as the only thing that needs to be replaced, instead of the whole filter casing. Also, the auto start/stop function, which turns off the engine when stopping at a traffic light. According to Porsche, 95% of the Cayenne S Hybrid can be recycled, which sounds pretty appealing to all environmentally-aware consumers.
Although the hybrid powertrain hurts the performance a bit, it still provides excellent acceleration, going from 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds, and getting a top speed of 150 mph. Also, the interior is as stylish and elegant as on every other Porsche that has ever been made. It features 12-way electrically operated front seats, with 4-way lumbar support adjustment, a CDR audio system with a 7-inch touchscreen, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel, so there are lots of amenities for those of you who are into the high-end, luxurious stuff.
The Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is priced at $69,850, and is a great choice for people who want a spacious, stable, powerful and safe vehicle, that, is also very eco-friendly.
