The only cosmetic differences between the plug-in hybrid Cayenne and the standard gas-engine vehicles are the brake calipers and external emblem outlines in vivid Acid Green. There is also a charging port on the driver’s side rear fender. Don’t worry; Porsche will convert the neon accents to black at no additional cost to the customer.
For the 2021 model year, Porsche boosted the Cayenne E-battery Hybrid’s capacity by enhancing the energy density of the pack. Compared to earlier, when it had 11.3 kWh available for propulsion, it now has 14.3. With the upgrade, the combined rating is greater (46 MPGe compared to 41) and the pure-electric range is extended (17 miles versus 14). The Porsche’s EPA combined rating and electric range are still inferior to those of the plug-in hybrid BMW X5 xDrive45e, Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring, and Volvo XC90 T8. Both estimations apply to the standard E-Hybrid and its coupe version. For instance, the BMW offers a 31-mile all-electric range, while the Lincoln can achieve up to 56 MPGe. In contrast, the Cayenne performed significantly better in actual driving situations, while the E-Hybrid coupe we tested could travel 20 miles at highway speeds on just electricity. The Aviator Grand Touring lost power after 15 miles whereas the plug-in X5 covered 25 miles. When all the electrons are used up, according to Porsche, the standard 3.6-kW onboard charger connected to a 240-volt circuit can fully recharge the battery in around five hours. That is cut in half if you choose the 7.2-kW charger ($1230).
Although the plug-in engine of the Cayenne E-Hybrid isn’t the most effective in its class, it is undoubtedly the most well-rounded. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission, an electric motor built into the 3.0-liter V-6 turbo engine, and standard all-wheel drive. They produce a combined 455 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque. At city speeds, it glides confidently and silently while in EV mode (E-Power). Porsche also adjusted the charging method in E-Charge mode, when the gasoline engine charges the battery, to aim an 80 percent rather than a 100 percent level of charge. It is claimed that doing so will increase its efficiency and guarantee that there is always access to full regenerative braking. The E-Hybrid is startlingly swift and responsive in the drive modes where the gas engine is used. The only drawback of combining friction brakes and regenerative braking is the uneven feel of the brake pedal. The E-Hybrid, which has the same maximum towing capability as non-hybrid vehicles at 7716 pounds, at least counts as a real SUV.
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new PHEV model
The Porsche Cayenne PHEV is now offered in the E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid versions. In October 2020, Porsche improved both plug-in hybrid vehicles by adding a larger battery pack. The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid and Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid increased their battery capacity from 14.1 kWh to 17.9 kWh. The Cayenne PHEV’s range was enhanced by up to 30% with the larger unit. With purely electric power, the Cayenne E-Hybrid can now travel up to 48 km (30 miles). Range for the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is currently 42 kilometers or (29 miles). Keep in mind that the range numbers are WLTP.
With the next mid-cycle update, Porsche may increase the selection of Cayenne PHEV models. According to Autocar, there may be a new S E-Hybrid model that sits between the E and Turbo S E-Hybrid models. The new model might have a system power of 552 horsepower and an EV range of about 30 miles (WLTP).
Engineers are evaluating the new Cayenne on the Nurburgring race track in addition to open roads. Even if performance and driving dynamics enhancements may be on the way, it’s not unusual to see a performance brand like Porsche push its car to the absolute limit on the Green Hell. On autoevolution, you can see images of the new Cayenne showing off its prowess on the German Rennstrecke. Efficiency gains might be the company’s sole priority for the plug-in hybrid version of the revised vehicle.
The range of Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid variants is increased.
Due to the confirmed larger battery pack, the 2021 Porsche Cayenne plug-in hybrid variants are anticipated to have a longer electric range.
These versions of the Cayenne E-Hybrid include a 17.9 kilowatt-hour battery pack instead of the previous 14.1 kwh. According to Porsche, the enhanced capacity will result in a 30% gain in electric range when compared to the European WLTP testing cycle.
Porsche provides two hybrid vehicles: the Cayenne E-Hybrid, which debuted for the 2019 and 2020 model years, and the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, which is more potent. Both variations come in Cayenne Coupe and standard-roof body types.
We drove the Cayenne Coupe Turbo S E-Hybrid with the smaller battery pack earlier this year and found it easy to surpass its EPA electric range estimate of 13 miles, although range numbers from the United States EPA testing cycle aren’t yet available.
Porsche added that it modified the Sport Chrono package’s driving modes, which come as standard on plug-in hybrids. According to Porsche, charging slows down dramatically after the battery pack reaches 80% capacity. In E-Charge mode, which uses the engine to replenish the battery pack while driving, the system now targets for an 80% recharge rather than a 100% recharge.
Porsche claims that the battery pack can, however, occasionally be charged at a high power level of up to 12 kw for the Turbo S E-Hybrid in Sport+ mode.
The plug-in hybrids can charge at up to 7.2 kw with a Porsche Mobile Charger Connect adaptor, and drivers can set a timer or charging target (both of which can be keyed to a specific location) or preset the climate control.
Other than that, powertrains are unchanged. A 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 gasoline engine, one electric motor, and an 8-speed automatic transmission are all used in the Cayenne E-Hybrid. The V-6 engine is replaced by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 in the Turbo S E-Hybrid. Total system outputs for the Cayenne E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid remain at 455 hp and 670 hp, respectively.
After the release of the all-electric Taycan, Porsche has been updating its plug-in hybrids so that the Turbo S E-Hybrid is now the Cayenne model with the fastest acceleration. This is done to highlight the benefits of an electrified powertrain.
A comparable battery improvement for Porsche’s Panamera E-Hybrid models was recently also revealed.
How Well Can an Electric Hybrid Dance?
Yes, it is heavy, but the crew managed to make the E-Hybrid shimmy with a skidpad average of 0.91 g and a time of 25.0 seconds at 0.75 g on our figure-eight circuit. Considering all that weight, stopping power was also remarkably strong, with a best number from 60-0 mph of 113 feet. With the proviso that they felt more road-tuned as opposed to the at-the-limit binders found on the Cayenne’s more potent Turbo S E-Hybrid edition, the team stated that the brakes were stable and smooth during heavy deceleration.
When considering the E-objective, Hybrid’s it’s helpful to think of the phrase “road-tuned.” This Porsche is definitely geared more toward efficiency and quiet operation with a stated electric-only range of 17 miles, but in practice, due to its weight, it isn’t all that more efficient than Cayennes with gas engines. As a result, its 46 mpg-e rating isn’t exactly impressive.
But even with the lower base price of $83,150, which is at the bottom of the Cayenne pricing scale, you can still acquire all the excellent things, and this particular model had a lot of it. We particularly liked the interior’s black and bordeaux red leather trim ($4,180), which contrasted nicely with the exterior’s Carrara White Metallic shine ($800).
On the open roads surrounding Los Angeles, the Cayenne performs as you might anticipate a variation of Porsche’s flagship SUV to, that is, it goes and stops with authority and handles far better than a car this enormous and heavy ever should, for example, while charging around a hairpin off ramp. It also outperforms mild road irregularities thanks to its $2,170 adaptive air suspension with PASM option. Essentially, you get what you pay for, and $101,650 is not a small sum.
The Cayenne E-Hybrid offers owners a way to feel greener and, in this case, mostly meaner, similar to any plug-in hybrid vehicle. While there are some trade-offs involved, it’s reassuring to know that Porsche is aiming to eliminate them as it progressively progresses toward a more efficient future.
A more productive Porsche
One of the main reasons why many consumers continue to be hesitant to adopt electric vehicles is range. Porsche increased the size of its plug-in hybrid batteries for 2021, increasing their capacity from 14.1 kWh to 17.9 kWh and extending their EPA-estimated electric range from 13 miles to 17 miles. This falls short of the 24-kWh battery and 30-mile range of the BMW X5 xDrive45e, but it should still be plenty for some people’s commutes, or at least a sizable portion of them. It’s simple enough to stay inside the federal estimations with a light foot.
The Cayenne E-Hybrid gives drivers complete control over how and when they use electricity, unlike some plug-ins. There are four distinct electrified-parts modes available in the car’s settings. While Hybrid Auto efficiently combines gas and electricity, E-Power runs on battery alone until it cannot. But the freedom is provided by the final two settings: While E-Charge charges the battery while you’re driving, E-Hold will keep the charge at a predetermined level. When traveling at highway speeds, when electricity needs to work the hardest, you can add some juice, and as you reach the off-ramp, you can turn off the gas side.
The Cayenne E-powertrain Hybrid’s is not weak, but in my opinion, it performs best while cruising in luxury rather than with performance in mind. When paired with the electric motor, a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 produces 455 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, which is sufficient for a sub-5-second sprint to 60 mph. The engine alone produces 335 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The tachometer’s lights at the bottom let me know when I’m digging down far enough to engage the electric motor, which has more than enough power to sprint away from a stoplight. Although it can move quickly and its eight-speed automatic transmission is happy to change gears quickly, I find that the car is just as content and sedate when I drive more slowly.
Additionally, my tester has air suspension, which I strongly suggest to anyone contemplating the Cayenne E-Hybrid. With this $2,170 update, the SUV is transformed into a surprisingly nimble cushion that cruises over every type of road while generating very little cabin return. Again, this car performs best when left in its most comfortable modes, but it will stiffen suitably in Sport and Sport Plus. Just relax and take in the almost complete silence.
If you’ve read some of Roadshow’s earlier evaluations of Porsche PHEVs, you may have noticed some complaints about the brakes and how poorly they combine friction and regeneration. Fortunately, that seems to be confined to Panamera models because the left pedal on the Cayenne E-Hybrid is dummy-simple to modulate without any rattling when the system delivers deceleration.
Although it is generally more fuel efficient than the Cayenne, it won’t blow you away. The gas V6 alone will achieve a combined mileage of around 21 mpg, but most excursions that included a mix of city and highway driving yielded a figure closer to 25 or 26 mpg. That is only marginally better than the basic Cayenne’s estimated 23 mpg on the highway. It’s still a sizable SUV with all-wheel drive and more power than the norm.
Is there a Porsche plug-in hybrid?
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There are automobiles with several drive technology used in electromobility. Porsche provides plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles.
An electric motor and a battery are installed in electric cars, sometimes referred to as BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). The 800 volt system voltage used in the Porsche Taycan ensures high continuous power, minimizes charging time, and lightens the vehicle.
PHEVs, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, are vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and a battery. The combustion engine’s output is increased by the electric motor in our Porsche plug-in hybrid vehicles.