2018 Porsche Cayenne readies for launch

THE next Porsche Cayenne could sport an all-electric drivetrain alongside hybrid and conventional powerplants when it has its official reveal on August 29.

The luxury sports car and SUV maker will next Tuesday reveal its third generation of the car that helped to turn Porsche from a niche seller to the highly profitable brand it is today. A sketch released this week shows the Cayenne will adopt a design heavy with influence from the smaller Macan, as well as 911-style tail lights that wrap around the rear.

Based on the Audi Q7, the “E3” Porsche Cayenne is expected to use a similar engine line-up, including the sport car maker’s own spin on the twin-turbo, electrically supercharged 4.0-litre diesel V8 that powers the SQ7. However, expect Porsche to build on the Audi’s 320kW/900Nm performance.

According to Porsche, the Cayenne’s drive and chassis, as well as the display and control concept, were all redesigned to “further increase the spread between sportiness and comfort”.

The Cayenne is expected to carry over the 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel engines that have traditionally powered it. However, there is the likelihood that a more cooking model of the SUV could downsize to a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine used in the Macan range – Porsche was quick to add a more affordable version of its smaller SUV once the hero models had settled in to showrooms. It also gives Porsche the opportunity to further exploit the turbocharger technology it developed for the 911.

The Cayenne should also gain the latest-generation Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system rolled out in the 911, and recently added to the Macan. That will add features such as real-time routes for the satellite navigation system, a more simplified operation and an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot.

Rumours hint that this generation of the Cayenne will be optimised to patch in parts developed for Porsche’s Mission E project, an electrified four-seater concept unveiled in 2015 and showing the path to a 440kW electrically powered four-seat sports car. Porsche has previously said it would use the technology developed for its now defunct Le Mans LMP1 campaign, with its more recent announcement that it would join the Formula E electric open-wheeler series hinting that it is on the cusp of revealing its road-going electric plans.

The Cayenne should also spawn another plug-in hybrid version using a similar 4.0-litre V8-powered petrol-electric drivetrain to the 500kW/850Nm system rolled out for the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Porsche's Cayenne may have a bit of a task ahead of it, though; Aston Martin's stunning DBX and the potentially more visceral Lamborghini Urus are yet to show their hands.