Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Is Eligible for Federal Tax Credit

The all new 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, the company's first production hybrid, has been declared eligible for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit as a Qualified Hybrid Motor Vehicle. Customers who purchase a new Cayenne S Hybrid sport utility vehicle before the end of 2010 or have done so earlier this year, may be eligible for a one-time tax credit of up to US $1,800.

With a base price before federal tax credit of $67,700, excluding destination charges, the incentive seems as pointless as the white crayon, unless you're a really miserly person. However, this car could lead to a reorientation of luxury SUV customers to more environmentally-friendly cars that are still flashy and powerful (not much of a change there).

The Cayenne S takes just 6.1 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standing start, and can achieve a top speed of 150 mph (241 km/h), while delivering an impressive 20/24 mpg US (city/highway).

The "S" badge might lead you into believing that a V8 is hiding under the hood of the 4,938 lbs (2,239 kg) behemoth, but you would be wrong. The 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid is powered by a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drivetrain developed by Porsche, that employs a supercharged V6 and an electric motor. The SUV has a combined power output of 380 horsepower, almost as much as the V8 that has a power rating of 400 hp. Fuel economy is claimed to be superior to that of a V6 powered Cayenne, thanks to the application of a unique 'sailing mode' and many other technical improvements.