Summer Vacations Just Got Better: the All-New 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV Starts Arriving in Dealer Showrooms

ATLANTA, June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Porsche dealers around the country are continuing to expand their dynamic and practical vehicle offerings with the addition of the all-new, more powerful, more fuel efficient, more luxurious and more comfortable 2011 Porsche Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo. Both new models begin arriving this weekend at Porsche dealerships around the country.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100618/CL23333 )

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100618/CL23333 )

The new 2011 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo models are set to build on the Cayenne SUV's excellent sales success. Since 2002 Porsche has sold more than 280,000 Cayennes worldwide, with more than 88,000 sold in the United States through May 2010 (nearly 58,000 were V8 models).

The 2011 Cayenne, truly an all-new model, features:

• An entirely new exterior design that appears sleeker and smaller when in fact it is larger than the previous model, but is still instantly recognizable as a Porsche Cayenne;
• An all-new, spacious interior that raises the luxury bar and puts it on par with the award-winning interior found in the Panamera Gran Turismo;
• More rear cargo room and interior space for the rear passengers thanks to a longer wheelbase and rear seats that adjust fore and aft with seat-back incline positions;
• Significant weight savings as Porsche engineers shaved roughly 400 lbs. overall (145 lbs. alone with a lighter yet still robust body structure) when compared with the previous Cayenne models;
• A new active all-wheel drive system that can be paired with Porsche's new Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) Plus option to provide agile on-road driving dynamics, yet it's still extremely capable when the pavement ends;
• New high-end audio systems from Bose® and Burmester® and new safety systems like the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Lane Change Assistant (LCA), and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The North American Cayenne model range will include four models: the 2011 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne S Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo. The S and Turbo models are available now, with the Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid in dealer showrooms this fall. The Cayenne model lineup MSRPs (excluding destination charges) are as follows: Cayenne, $46,700; Cayenne S, $63,700; Cayenne S Hybrid, $67,700; and Cayenne Turbo, $104,800.

Engines include a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 in the Cayenne, a 400-horsepower 4.8-liter V8 in the Cayenne S, and a 500-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 in the Cayenne Turbo.

Cayenne S Hybrid: Porsche performance plus city and highway efficiency

Yet the highlight is the new Cayenne S Hybrid featuring a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid system. With a combined power output of 380 horsepower from the supercharged V6 combustion engine and an electric motor, Porsche's first production hybrid combines the performance of a V8 with the economy of a V6.

Through continuous interaction between the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid focuses on maximum efficiency. Depending on driving conditions, either drive unit can operate independently or together. The 47-horsepower (34 kW) electric motor is the ideal partner for the 333-horsepower engine, which produces high torque at low engine speeds, with peak torque at 428 lb-ft at just 1,000 rpm. The electric motor and supercharged V6 are connected by a decoupling clutch, and the sophisticated Hybrid Manager constantly coordinates their complex interaction through intelligent management of the clutch to make the transition among various driving modes seamless and comfortable.

Like many hybrids, it can cover short distances on electric power alone, free of emissions and noise up to 60 km/h or almost 40 mph but has the potential to further enhance fuel economy at high speeds. When the Cayenne S Hybrid does not need drive power and the driver lifts off the accelerator at speeds up to 97 mph, the gasoline engine can be completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain through the decoupling clutch, enabling the vehicle to 'sail' or coast along without combustion or electric power.

Porsche Intelligent Performance across entire model range

In addition to Porsche's new eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission with a wide range of gear ratios, other factors also contribute to a reduction in fuel consumption. Specifically this includes the Automatic Start Stop function (first introduced on the Panamera), efficient thermal management of the engine and transmission cooling circuits, on-board electrical network recuperation, variable deceleration fuel cut-off and the Cayenne's intelligent lightweight construction.

Thanks to the combination of material weight minimization and overall changes in the vehicle concept such as the new, active and extra-light all-wheel drive system, overall weight savings in about 400 lbs. when compared to the previous models. The benefits are not only better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, but also improved performance, agility and handling.

The official Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo EPA fuel economy figures are 16 mpg city/22 highway and 15 city/22 highway, respectively. Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid fuel economy ratings will be announced shortly before they come to market in the fall. None are subject to a gas-guzzler tax.

About Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., is the exclusive importer of Porsche vehicles for the United States. It is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. PCNA employs approximately 180 people who provide Porsche vehicles, parts, service, marketing and training for its 199 dealers. The dealers, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service. Throughout its 61-year history, Porsche has developed numerous technologies that have advanced vehicle performance, improved safety and spurred environmental innovations within the automotive industry. The company continues to celebrate its heritage by adding to its long list of motorsports victories dating back to its first 24 Hours of Le Mans class win in 1951. Today, with more than 28,000 victories, Porsche is recognized as the world's most successful brand in sports car racing. PCNA, which imports the iconic 911 series, the highly acclaimed Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars, high-end Cayenne sport utility vehicles and the four-passenger Panamera Gran Turismos, strives to maintain a standard of excellence, commitment and distinction synonymous with its brand.

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Note: Photos of the new Cayenne are available to accredited journalists on the Porsche Press Database at http://press.porsche.com/. Video footage is available to registered users at http://thenewsmarket.com/porsche.

SOURCE Porsche Cars North America, Inc.