Porsche Enters the Luxury Hybrid SUV Market
Porsche enters the hybrid market with the introduction of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid. This may be good news if you're a green car shopper looking for a luxury SUV as there are few hybrid options currently available. True to the Porsche nameplate, the Cayenne Hybrid delivers engine-revving performance and a high level of refinement. Keep reading to review specifications, mpgs and features of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.
2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Styling
The Cayenne Hybrid boasts the same styling upgrades present on the 2011 all-gas Porsche Cayenne. From the exterior, the vehicle exudes a muted muscular appearance that hints well at the vehicle's combination of luxury and performance. Tapered corners and a rounded silhouette give the vehicle a modern insinuation of sprightly maneuverability.
Inside, Porsche outfits the Cayenne with a wide array of high-tech features. Build quality and materials are on par with what one would expect for a $60,000 vehicle (that is to say, top-notch). As a mid-size sedan, the Cayenne comfortably accommodates five passengers. In general, reviewers praise the vehicle's seats for being exceptionally supportive and luxurious. Rear passengers will likely enjoy the three-position reclining seat.
In terms of cargo room, the Cayenne S Hybrid delivers a class-competitive 62.9 cubic feet.
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2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Performance
The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid comes equipped with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that mates to a 34-kW electric motor. Combined, this powertrain delivers a total of 380 horsepower and 427 lb-ft. of torque. In comparison, the traditional Cayenne S outputs 400 horsepower. Based on reviews, this hybrid SUV delivers seamless acceleration and exhilarating handling.
The Cayenne Hybrid delivers 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. Given the vehicle's specs, these numbers are exceptional (the standard Cayenne S delivers 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway). Porsche also promises that the hybrid can travel at up to 37 mph purely on battery power for short distances.
If you're interested in a hybrid SUV that matches the output of the Porsche Cayenne, then you may also want to take a look at the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6.
Review full 2011 Porsche Cayenne specifications.
2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Safety
The Cayenne S Hybrid comes with a comprehensive list of standard safety features. These include anti-lock brakes, brake assist, stability control, traction control and seven airbags (including driver's knee airbag). Optional safety features include rear side airbags, rearview camera, rear parking sensors and a blind-spot warning system. Crash tests have not yet been performed on the Porsche SUV.
2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid Prices
Base price for the Cayenne S Hybrid is set at $67,700. Clearly, this high entry fee puts the vehicle out of the price range of many car shoppers. However, it should be noted that the standard Cayenne S starts at $63,700 - a fact that makes the hybrid's price a fairly good value in comparison. Standard features include self-leveling automatic headlights, power tailgate, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, power front seats, driver memory functions, touchscreen interface, 10-speaker stereo, CD player, Bluetooth, auxiliary jack and sunroof.
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