Cayenne Proves Porsche's Goal of Better Fuel Economy

ATLANTA, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As it prepares to launch its first hybrid vehicle this weekend—the Cayenne S Hybrid—Porsche announced that it is achieving significant fuel savings in all its new-generation Cayenne models.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/CL89983 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101027/CL89983 )

With consumption reductions of 20 to 21 percent in its overall EPA fuel economy rating (with the hybrid), the 2011 Cayenne sport utility vehicle has achieved its goal of improved fuel efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  

The basic principle of the "Porsche Intelligent Performance" philosophy, which is providing more power with lower consumption, increased efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions, particularly applies to the new Cayenne model series that went on sale this year. The six-cylinder Cayenne model consumes 20 percent less fuel than its predecessor, while the V8 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models have enjoyed similar reductions. At the same time, all of these new vehicles offer more power and better performance.

This reduction in consumption across the entire Cayenne range can partly be attributed to use of the new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission with automatic stop/start function and a wide gear ratio range. Also critical to the improved efficiency is the Cayenne's weight reduction and intelligent lightweight construction.  Engineers used a weight-optimized material mix and modified the vehicle's overall construction, which included the development and use of a new lighter-weight four-wheel drive system. This 400-pound weight loss not only helped improve the Cayenne's overall fuel consumption and CO2 emissions but also improved performance, agility, and handling.

Of course, the new highlight within the model series – the Cayenne S Hybrid – features a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive system, which delivers even more impressive figures. Offering the performance of a V8 with the economy of a V6, it combines the power output of a supercharged V6 combustion engine with an electric motor.

The Cayenne S Hybrid has official fuel consumption estimates using current EPA test protocols of 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc

A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing.h.c.F.Porsche, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. and its 197 dealers offer U.S. customers some of the most technically advanced and high-performance vehicles in the world. Porsche is also synonymous with supreme quality and first-class customer treatment. A testament to this is the fact that Porsche has been ranked No. 1 in J.D. Power and Associates' prestigious Initial Quality Study (IQS) during four of the past five years. Also, Porsche is fully and publically committed to being a leader in significantly lowering emissions, and saving fuel.  The company's guiding credo is "Porsche Intelligent Performance" and the goal is to prove that Porsche's high performance and efficiency are not contradictory terms. A dramatic example of this is the highly-anticipated 918 Spyder — a super sports car that is also a planned plug-in hybrid. Of course this is nothing new for Porsche, which for 62 years has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations. Obviously, one expects such achievements from the most revered race car brand in the world --- one that has accumulated more than 28,000 motorsport victories. Today, PCNA imports the cars that are the product of this great history, including the iconic 911 series, the renowned Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, the high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-passenger Panamera Gran Turismo cars.

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SOURCE Porsche Cars North America, Inc.