Stuttgart based Porsche is known for high-performance cars and is currently owned by the Volkswagen Group. Porsche has always had a close relationship with the Volkswagen Group, because the iconic VW Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche.
Apart from this, both VW and Porsche have collaborated on a number of platforms, to include, the Porsche Cayenne SUV. In 2010, Porsche launched the Cayenne S Hybrid and also developed an electric prototype of the Porsche Boxster, called in the Boxster E (2011). The luxury automotive manufacturer currently has the following electric vehicles (EVs) in its portfolio:
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
The Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV has been available since 2002. It is the first Porsche vehicle with four doors. It is also Porsche’s first off-road since the tractors of the 1950’s. The Porsche Cayenne uses the same platform as the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. The plug-in E-hybrid variant was introduced in 2014 at the Paris Motor Show.
SUV’s have been the rage for sometime, with consumers demonstrating an insatiable appetite for premium badge upmarket models. Luxury automotive brands like Porsche cannot deliver enough. However, with the continued increase in fuel prices and the focus on ‘environment-friendly’ transportation, premium SUVs that deliver improved fuel efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions will succeed long-term.
Though the Porsche Cayenne plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a step in the right direction i.e. the PHEV has a claimed fuel economy up to 91.1 mpg and reduced tailpipe emissions (92g CO2/km), there is still much scope for improvement in delivering even better fuel efficiency and lower tailpipe emissions. The conventional internal combustion engine variant has tailpipe emissions up to 319g CO2/km, so best to avoid!
If the Porsche PHEV is driven mostly on motorways, with limited used of the onboard electric motor (powered by the EV battery), the fuel economy will resemble that closer to an internal combustion engine (ICE) variant (20 mpg). To get anywhere close to the Porsche claimed fuel economy, the e-mode electric driving will have to be leveraged a fair amount!
The Porsche plug-in electric SUV has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed zero-emission electric range up to 27 miles (WLTP certified). Though the size of the EV battery and claimed range is typical of PHEVs of this type, the latest generation of PHEVs are offering a larger EV battery and a higher emission-free pure electric range.
Do keep in mind that the real-world EV range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, passenger load, weather, road condition, wheel size etc. Assuming a 20 mile emission-free electric range is more realistic, which will be sufficient for most shorter commutes, but disappointing nevertheless. The EV also has regenerative braking to increase the efficiency of the vehicle i.e. improving the electric range.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug for charging an electric car. A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Porsche offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.
Despite the premium price tag, Porsche does not offer a 7kW onboard charger as standard. Instead the manufacturer offers a 3.6 kW onboard charger as standard (full charge in 4 hours), with an option to upgrade to 7.2 kW. We would certainly recommend upgrading to the 7.2 kW onboard charger to increase charging speeds (full charge in 2 hours). The EV does not offer DC charging capability.
As one can expect, a Porsche never disappoints when it comes to quality and performance. The Cayenne PHEV is no different. The entry level Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid combines a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with an electric motor (100 kW) to deliver 462 PS and 700 Nm torque.
The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 5.0 seconds and has a 157 mph top speed (pure electric mode: 83 mph). Of course, the other more expensive trims offer even superior performance. You get the point!
In terms of interior quality, features and technology, the plug-in electric SUV does not disappoint. The interior cabin is luxurious and finished to an exceedingly high standard and feature/ technology-filled, to include: park assist (front and rear), distance warning, reversing camera, 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a lot more.
The PHEV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG), but company-car drivers can take advantage of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-19%) tax rate. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
The Porsche Cayenne PHEV SUV (credit:Porsche)
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