Photo: original image by autoevolution
Right after the very successful launch of the Macan SUV, Porsche is revealing a revamped version of the flagship Cayenne model. Even though this is just a mid-life facelift, the German company has probably done more here than others manage with an all-new model. The star of the show is what Porsche claims to be a ground-breaking plug-in hybrid, the first in this segment.
It's been a dozen years since Porsche took the premium market by storm and showed they could fit a sportscar under the body of an SUV. The second generation has been their most successful product yet, selling 303,000 units since 2010, compared to just 276,000 managed by the Mk1 in its entire lifespan.
With numbers like that, the 2015 Cayenne has every right to look more confident and bold. A new design language is in place, with small changes made thought that give the bodywork a 3D effect. From its little brother, the Macan, this SUV has borrowed bonnet lines that are less visible and some horizontal streaks that look like razor blades.
The 2015 Cayenne facelift's true identity is only revealed when the lights are on. Both headlights and taillights have a simplistic and elegant 3D pattern, with four individual points of light in each unit.
Also worth a quick note is the Cayenne S Diesel, its biturbo 4.2-liter V8 pushing out 385 PS and a mental 850 Nm of torque (627lb ft). This rival for the BMW X5 M50d will set your pants on fire while it heads towards the horizon with impressive vigor, not normally associated with a vehicle weighing 2.2 tons.
Just like the Panamera facelift from last year, the petrol-powered Cayenne S takes a big step forward, dropping its 4.8-liter naturally aspirated engine and replacing it with a 3.6-liter biturbo mill. Power has been slightly increased from 400 to 420 PS, while torque is up 10 percent to 550 Nm. In ideal conditions, the Cayenne S will now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, 0.4s faster than before.
European customers have bought these by the bucket-load the past four years and they will probably continue to do so. For the mid-life facelift, output has been increased from 245 PS to 262 PS. Emissions have been lowered to just 173-179g/km with no loss of performance.
The Cayenne facelift will continue to be one of Porsche's most popular models. The current generation should stay in production until early 2018.
With numbers like that, the 2015 Cayenne has every right to look more confident and bold. A new design language is in place, with small changes made thought that give the bodywork a 3D effect. From its little brother, the Macan, this SUV has borrowed bonnet lines that are less visible and some horizontal streaks that look like razor blades.
The 2015 Cayenne facelift's true identity is only revealed when the lights are on. Both headlights and taillights have a simplistic and elegant 3D pattern, with four individual points of light in each unit.
Coloring engines by numbers
The Cayenne model range probably won't be complete until next year, but we have enough pieces of it to paint an almost complete picture. Thought the range, engineers have bumped output and lowered emissions and numbers. The flagship role is currently held by the 520 PS Turbo, capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.Also worth a quick note is the Cayenne S Diesel, its biturbo 4.2-liter V8 pushing out 385 PS and a mental 850 Nm of torque (627lb ft). This rival for the BMW X5 M50d will set your pants on fire while it heads towards the horizon with impressive vigor, not normally associated with a vehicle weighing 2.2 tons.
Just like the Panamera facelift from last year, the petrol-powered Cayenne S takes a big step forward, dropping its 4.8-liter naturally aspirated engine and replacing it with a 3.6-liter biturbo mill. Power has been slightly increased from 400 to 420 PS, while torque is up 10 percent to 550 Nm. In ideal conditions, the Cayenne S will now accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds, 0.4s faster than before.
An electric SUV?
As we've mentioned, the highlight of he new Cayenne range is a plug-in hybrid model. The 2015 Cayenne S E-Hybrid is motivated by a combination of 333 hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and 95 hp electric motor. With a total output of 416 hp, its Tiptronic S gearbox and all-wheel drive system have no problem pushing from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 243 km/h. Porsche claims this €82,000 SUV (in Germany, US MSRP is $76,400) can consume as little as 3.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, basically comparable to diesel supermini.The Cayenne everybody buys in Europe
For the current model year at least, the base V6 petrol engine isn't even available, not even in America. Next year, Porsche will replace it with a turbo 3-liter, but for now, the Cayenne Diesel is your basic premium SUV.European customers have bought these by the bucket-load the past four years and they will probably continue to do so. For the mid-life facelift, output has been increased from 245 PS to 262 PS. Emissions have been lowered to just 173-179g/km with no loss of performance.
The Cayenne facelift will continue to be one of Porsche's most popular models. The current generation should stay in production until early 2018.
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