Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid

FIRST DRIVE Porsche nails it with second version of high-performance hybrid SUV

- Steve Sutcliffe

THE previous Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid didn’t quite know what it wanted to be. It was neither a full-blown performance model nor an especially talented eco-warrior. But this new generation has a much clearer focus.

It takes a single-turbo V6 petrol engine that produces just under 340bhp, and then links it with a “high-performance” hybrid power train to give combined outputs of 455bhp and 700Nm. That’s enough to fire the E-Hybrid Cayenne from 0-60mph in just 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 157mph. Impressive stuff, in isolation.

At the same time, however, it can also return close to a claimed 90mpg on the combined fuel economy cycle and it emits just 72g/km of CO 2 . Yes, it misses out on exemption from London’s Congestion Charge by a measly 2g/km.

Impressive