2011 Porsche Cayenne Released

The eagerly-awaited Porsche Cayenne is finally here. At least, virtually, as the German carmaker will show this latest contraption at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Porsche says the car will hit European showrooms on May 8, with pricing to start at 55,431 Euros (full pricing is available below).

The entry-level Cayenne will be equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that develops 300 horsepower and is mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission. The biggest improvements is in the fuel economy area, as the car now burns only 9.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (28.5 mpg) - an improvement of 20 percent as compared to the previous version.

The Cayenne S is powered by a 4.8-liter V8 configuration, which received a power increase of 15 hp, so it now develops 400 hp. Fuel consumption was improved by 23 percent in this case to 10.5 l/100km (26.9 mpg).

The Cayenne Turbo remains the top-of-the-range model, now developing 500 horsepower thanks to the 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine it is equipped with.

The diesel Cayenne employs a 3.0-liter V6 powerplant that develops 240 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque, cutting fuel consumption by 20 percent, down from 9.3 to 7.4 l/100 km.

And now, the green part. The Cayenne S Hybrid uses a combination of a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that produces 333 horsepower and a 47 hp electric unit, thus developing a total 580 Nm of torque at 1,000 rpm. The so-called sailing mode allows the driver to switch off the combustion engine at speeds of up to 156 km/h (97 mph), according to Porsche. This engine combination makes the Cayenne S Hybrid the cleanest vehicle in Porsche's lineup, releasing only 193 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Overall, the new Cayenne is longer and lighter as compared to the current model. Specifically, it is 48mm/1.9-inches longer than its predecessor (it now measures 4,846mm) while the wheelbase has been extended by 40mm/1.6 inches (2,895mm). Furthermore, owners who are looking to get more interior space can benefit from the sliding rear seat that could provide 160 mm (6.3 inches) of additional legroom. As for weight, the new Cayenne is 180 kilos lighter.


Here are the pricing tags for the whole new Cayenne lineup:

• Cayenne 55,431 Euros (46,400 Euros no taxes included)
• Cayenne Diesel 59,596 Euros (49,900 Euros)
• Cayenne S 72,686 Euros (60,900 Euros)
• Cayenne S Hybrid 78,636 Euros (65,900 Euros)
• Cayenne Turbo 115,526 Euros (96,900 Euros)

autoevolution will be attending the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.

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