We’re going to pat ourselves on the back (just in case no one else does) because when you’re right, you’re right. Just yesterday we discussed the possibility of a longer, lighter more fuel efficient Cayenne. This morning we woke up to a press release from Porsche with a sub-heading of “All-new SUV debuts in Geneva with more room, technology, performance, and significantly less weight and fuel consumption.” I wish our crystal ball worked that well for stock picking!! I know John was thinking about getting a Cayenne as our new dog hauler, all I have to say after seeing and reading the info below is that he best be planning on a 2011 (unless they plan to give away the 2010s)…

As we prepared to write a long an information post about everything that is great about the new Porsche Cayenne, we discovered a series of videos that provides an informative and entertaining look on everything from performance to design of the new Cayenne. If, after watching the videos below (there are quite a few of them) you still want even more information and pictures, feel free to watch our slide show and read Porsche’s press release, with technical details included, found at the end of this post.

Performance of the new Porsche Cayenne

Design Consideration of the new Porsche Cayenne

The new Cayenne and the Environment

Safety of the new Porsche Cayenne

Comfort Features of the new Porsche Cayenne

Overview of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne Models

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, the new Cayenne. Wow! Let’s not even talk technology for a second, how about simple and pure aesthetics. Say what you want about the earlier version Cayenne, with this new generation, Porsche designed a beauty inside and out. The completely new Cayenne design leaves no doubt that it is part of the Porsche family. Its sporting character is evident from all angles, and its Porsche shape and design highlights are more distinct than ever before. The new Cayenne is 1.9 inches longer than its predecessor, and an added 1.6 inches in wheelbase ensures extra space and greater versatility. But despite larger exterior dimensions, the new Porsche Cayenne looks far more compact and dynamic.

Inside, the luxurious interior features a high center console that, like the Panamera, rises up at an incline to meet the dashboard center stack with high-quality fittings and a touch-screen infotainment interface. Porsche’s traditional set of five round instruments in the drivers gauge cluster includes a high-resolution circular TFT screen to the right of the tachometer. It can be used to change radio stations, vehicle settings, or access the navigation system or view the map. Rear-seat comfort is much improved, as well. The bench slides fore-and-aft by 6.3 inches, while the backrest can be adjusted to three different angles (the dogs are really going to like this feature).

Not only does the new Porsche Cayenne sheds weight and gain space, it looks more more sleek and compact thanks to a special combination of materials as well as changes in the overall vehicle concept. One such change is a new all-wheel drive system reducing weight significantly on all models. Porsche claims that despite an even higher standard of safety, the Cayenne S is 400 lbs lighter, which not only improves fuel consumption and lowers emissions, but also boosts performance, agility, and handling. Led by a technologically advanced full hybrid model, the all-new, next-generation Porsche Cayenne sport-utility vehicle will debut at the Geneva motor show in early March. In line with the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, the entire range, from the entry level Cayenne with a V6 engine to the 500-horsepower Cayenne Turbo, all deliver improved performance while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions than ever before.

The New Porsche Cayenne will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show (press days: March 31 and April 1, public days: April 2-11). The Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo go on sale in July as a 2011 model, and U.S. pricing will be announced soon. Porsche dealerships will offer the Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid in the fall.

The performance of a V8 with the fuel efficiency of a V6

The highlight is the new Cayenne S Hybrid featuring a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid drive system. With a combined power output of 380 horsepower from the supercharged V6 combustion engine and an electric motor, the Cayenne S 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 427 lb-ft at just 1,000 rpm, the Cayenne S Hybrid’s performance is on par with a V8- powered Cayenne S.

The Cayenne S Hybrid’s two drive units are connected by a decoupling clutch. A hybrid controller constantly coordinates their complex interaction, and intelligent management of the clutch makes the transition among various driving modes seamless. Like many hybrids, the Cayenne S Hybrid can cover short distances on electric power alone, free of emissions and noise up to 60 km/h or almost 40 mph. For aggressive acceleration, the motor provides an extra ‘boost’ to the gasoline engine.

What makes the Cayenne S Hybrid unique is its ability to cruise at high speeds on electric power alone. The gasoline engine can be completely switched off and disengaged from the drivetrain at speeds of up to 97 mph. Christened by the Weissach engineers as ‘sailing’ – or cruising — mode, the drag forces exerted by the combustion engine and their braking effect are eliminated in the interest of lower resistance and fuel consumption.

All new-generation Cayenne SUVs set high standards for efficiency and performance. Compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by up to 23 percent in the New European Driving Cycle and CO2 emissions are significantly reduced, despite the increased performance. Actual EPA-certified fuel economy figures will be available when the cars go on sale in North America in July.

A new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission with a wide range of gear ratios and the Automatic Start Stop function (first introduced on the Panamera) contribute to these improvements. So does 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.

The completely new Cayenne design leaves no doubt that it is part of the Porsche family. Its sporting character is evident from all angles, and its Porsche shape and design highlights are more distinct than ever before.

The Cayenne V6 and V8 engines are more powerful and more fuel efficient The entry-level Cayenne with its 300-horsepwer 3.6-liter V6 engine and mated to the new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission consumes 20 percent less fuel in the New European Driving Cycle than its predecessor.

Fuel consumption is also down significantly on the high-torque Cayenne S. Its 4.8-liter V8 produces 400 horsepower, 15 more than the previous model. When combined with the overall weight savings, performance is markedly increased, yet fuel consumption is down by 23 percent in the New European Driving Cycle.

The Cayenne Turbo, with its 500-horsepower, 4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 also consumes 23 percent less fuel than its predecessor despite its improved performance and acceleration.

Together with the Cayenne S Hybrid, three of the new Cayenne models produce less than 200 grams of CO2 per kilometer. At 193 g/km, the Cayenne S Hybrid is not only the cleanest Cayenne model, but also the cleanest vehicle in Porsche’s entire portfolio.

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2011 Porsche Cayenne Torture Testing in Dubai

[Source: PCNA, Youtube]

Probably not! While I don’t the know the official numbers, I’d be willing to bet that less than 5% of all road going Cayennes will ever see more than a slightly rough dirt road on the ride to an out of the way soccer field. However, for those few of you who really do want some off-road capability it’s nice to see that the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne has what it takes to deliver the goods. Turn up the volume and enjoy this video of the new Cayenne playing in Dubai.

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A Video Introduction to the 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Love it or hate it (and quite a few purists lean toward the latter sentiment) the Cayenne is far and away Porsche’s best selling model (in year over year production figures). Most Cayenne fans (and I’m one of them) will point to it and suggest that without its development and success that Porsche, as we know it, would not exist. The funds pouring in from the sale of the über quick grocery hauler continue to provide much needed economical aid to the rest of the fleet and more importantly for R&D (let’s not forget it was a Cayenne based engine that won the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona this year).

It appears, that the Cayenne might just be set up to save Porsche once again. Let’s explore. In Tuesday’s post “Is Your Porsche an Endangered Species?” we outlined the proposed changes to the current CAFE regulations that could possible endanger Porsche’s future in the US. What we didn’t do is discuss all the details, let’s look at a few of them now:

1. The new regulations require 42 mpg for cars and 26 mpg for light trucks for a fleet average of 35.5 MPG.
2. The MPG requirements pertain to an entire fleet vs. any one particular model under a brand umbrella.
3. Therefore, a company can design one particular model to meet or exceed the minimum while having others that don’t weight against that average.

Hmmm. Maybe a Baby Boxster or entry level 914ish Porsche isn’t so far out of the realm of possibilities….

Even more interesting is this statement by Germany’s Focus Magazine, “The new law says that size determines the allowable mileage of a car. A car with a bigger footprint has wider parameters than a small car. This rule favors US manufacturers, who are heavy on pick-ups. Porsche is hit hard. A sports car manufacturer has to contend with an unfavorable relationship between size and consumption.”

Has anyone else heard rumors about the soon to be released Cayenne sporting a longer wheel base? Could the statement above be part of that decision making process? The Cayenne isn’t known for it’s lack of thirst, but with the introduction of the Cayenne Hybrid S, the possibility of a Cayenne diesel on US shores and the sheer number of Porsche’s “pepper” being sold, it just might help the average. Couple this with the concept of a “baby boxster” (or some other entry level Porsche) and savvy political maneuvering and I think we’ll still be buying our Porsches in 2016.

Source: [TTAC, Focus Magazine, NHTSA]

The Porsche blogosphere is abuzz with rumors of the possibility of an unintentional reveal of the new 2011 Cayenne by Porsche’s marketing department. Truth be told, I’m simply not that excited about it. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Cayenne. In fact, John has been threatening to replace my Toyota 4Runner with a Cayenne for that past year now (and getting serious about it over the last two weeks) and I’m excited by the prospect.

But now, with the news today, I’m concerned it might delay his decision. Personally, I wish he would get it over with and pull the trigger already. I’ll take a black Cayenne S (or turbo) with Cashmere interior please. Then again, if the pictures are real, or even if they are photoshopped and depict the new Cayenne, it is a good looking vehicle (a generational change vs. a face lift). A bit more muscular, possibly longer and a bit more sleek. A Porsche through and through. Looks like it will be worth the wait. Is that a panoramic roof I see?

For those of you unfamiliar with the controversy of this alleged early leak of the new Cayenne, it’s quite simple. A number of web-sites are claiming to have captured screen shots of Porsche’s own car-configurator showing an updated version of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne (see the image above). Some say it’s a mistake, some say it’s a photoshop job, others (me) think it was intentional and a brilliant plan to create buzz. Whatever the truth may be, we’ll find out soon enough at the Geneva auto show. For now, Porsche has changed the image on their site back to a current model Cayenne GTS (see the image below). The speculation and the buzz continues. What say you? Pshopped, mistake or intentional?

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After watching the behind the scenes footage from the making of the Porsche Panamera commercial, and the full length TV version of the “Bloodlines” commercial for the Porsche Cayenne GTS, I got a little curious about the man behind these mini movies; Jeff Zwart. As I delved deeper into my research on Jeff (more on this to follow in a later post) I stumbled upon the video below. While not quite as refined as the multi-million dollar Porsche commercial productions, the video does provide a great comparison and compilation of Porsches, ranging from the 356 to today’s GT2, racing to the summit of Pike’s Peak with Jeff at the wheel.

Contrary to the recent rumors of its impending demise, given the popularity of the Porsche Cayenne, it’s most likely here to stay!

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Porsche Cayenne

[Source: 993C4S and YouTube]

It simply isn’t safe to drive a Cayenne in the streets of Russia anymore! You obviously can’t trust the criminals; you’ve lost what little faith you had in your own police; now, you can’t even trust other Porsche drivers. The video below might take a second to start up, but stay with it.

Almost as interesting as the subject of the video are the number of other luxury cars driving by the scene of the accident. Other Porsches, Mercedes, BMWs, Jaguars, Hummers, etc. etc. Capitalism is alive in well in this former Eastern Bloc States.

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Porsche Police Chase

[Source: RuTube via PorschePerfect.com]

As if the Cayenne doesn’t get flamed enough as it is, someone had to go and throw gold fuel on the already burning fire. To date, I’ve seen “murdered out” Porsches (flat black), Porsches covered in camouflage, 911s covered in Tweed and other things that defy description, but this is the first time I’ve seen a Cayenne completely covered in gold foil (including the wheels).

I know I’m going out on a limb here, but I kind of like this. Let me explain, I’m not a fan of the look, but rather the quality of the craftsmanship required to create this look. The wheels, I could do without those. What are your thoughts?

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[Source: Luxury4Play.com]