PORSCHE’S NEXT generation Cayenne SUV has again been spotted being tested in Germany. The exterior of the SUV due for launch in 2011 may follow Porsche’s tradition of evolutionary design, but it’s clear that it looks sleeker than the current Cayenne.
The cabin is heavily influenced by the new Porsche Panamera, so expect the 2011 Cayenne to have a vastly improved interior with higher quality materials.
While we can’t say for sure what model is being tested, the new car should have a variety of petrol, diesel and hybrid engines.
On the petrol side, expect the 2011 Cayenne S to come with the Panamera’s 4.8-litre V8 engine (400bhp) while the Cayenne Turbo should be powered by the 4.8-litre biturbo V8 engine from the Panamera Turbo (500bhp). In diesel models, the Volkswagen V6 TDI engine, with 240bhp and 550Nm of torque, should carry forward with minor improvements.
Considering that Porsche’s first Cayenne S hybrid will appear as a 2010 model, its hybrid powertrain should carry over to the 2011 Cayenne virtually unchanged.
Power for the hybrid comes from Audi’s supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 333bhp. It is connected to a three-phase synchronous electric motor which receives power from a 38 kW NiMH battery.
The new Cayenne is supposed to adopt a more street-focused setup, which means some of the current model’s bulky off-road equipment could be dropped.