Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid (2010) CAR review

You know a car is long awaited when it’s given an entire engine transplant before it’s even been launched. CAR first rode in the new Porsche Cayenne Hybrid back in July 2007. Two years later, it’s still not on sale and now it’s been transformed from a 3.6 V6 into the Cayenne S Hybrid toting Audi’s new 3.0-litre supercharged V6. And we’re promised that what you see here is exactly what you’ll be able to buy from next year.

We’ve driven Porsche’s new hybrid at a Bosch technology day ahead of the petrol-electric Cayenne’s launch in 2010. And don’t assume this is some nichey, low-volume sports SUV eco sop – what you see here is exactly what will underpin the new VW Touareg Hybrid and Porshce Panamera Hybrid as well – the entire engine, transmission and drivetrain will form the basis for all three petrol-electric vehicles.

Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid: the techy bit

Out goes the old VW VR6-related 3.6 V6, replaced by the silken, direct-injection 3.0-litre V6 that we’ve already come to admire in the new Audi S4. Worries before we even start it up? In our long-term test S4, we still mourn the loss of the V8 burble and are becoming worried the official consumption claims have gone equally AWOL.

Bosch has supplied the hybrid module and control unit, but not the battery packs (its own lithium ion battery joint venture with Samsung won’t produce results until 2011). The electric drivetrain sits between the V6 and the new, eight-speed auto transmission. A separate clutch between the engine and gearbox means that the Cayenne Hybrid can decouple the petrol engine entirely, running on either pure electric or corner-baiting petrol mode in full four-wheel drive. Other systems, such as the Lexus RX450h’s, effectively run the rear axle electrically.

An auto gearbox? In a Porsche hybrid?!

Yep – this is the first time I’ve tested a petrol-electric car with a full torque converter auto instead of a CVT. You notice it the moment you step on board and start up. Pull away, and the Cayenne Hybrid offers conventional gearchanges even in full EV mode. It makes for a much more conventional ‘car-like’ experience (even thought that phrase annoys me – of course it’s a bloody car!) and you won’t miss that wildly unhinged CVT racket and soaring revs one jot.

It takes a while to adjust, because the Cayenne Hybrid then changes down when you brake, even when the engine is switched off and you’re coasting along in ‘sailing’ mode. But it’s entirely in keeping with the Porsche dynamic DNA and the gearchanges are slusher-slick. It’s a healthy blend of old and new, then – and with eight ratios, the Aisin auto box is biased towards changing up early. Seventh and eight are, needless to say, overdrives.

>> Click ‘Next’ to read how the Cayenne Hybrid fares on road