The second-generation Porsche Cayenne is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March along with its cousin, the Volkswagen Touareg. Both SUVs will mark the debut of a new hybrid drive system co-developed by the two brands, and both the revised Cayenne and Touareg will enter production some time this spring.

The SUVs will reportedly be using a version of the supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 found in the Audi S4, with 325 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque. The crew at Autocar had a chance to ride along in a near-production Cayenne S hybrid recently and determined that the new machine could be a serious challenger to the new Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid as well as the class-leading Lexus RX450h. According to the Brit pub, the Porsche hybrid felt nearly as quick as the V8-powered Cayenne S, although the vehicle wasn't instrumented.

The Porsche was a later stage prototype than a Touareg Hybrid that VW has been showing for some time and it appears the engineers have refined the engine's on-off transition, making the hybrid experience almost seamless. Expect all the details in two month's time.

Source - Autoblog via Autocar

 

Just when I thought Porsche couldn't contradict their legacy any more, they go and contradict their contradiction. I thought a bulky Porsche SUV was completely ridiculous, tasteless and wasteful, but now it's a little more ridiculous, just as tasteless, and a smidgen less wasteful. Buy an Audi, Merc, BMW, or Range Rover if you want a luxury SUV.

 

First interior pics by Autocar in this article.

 

^^ Thanks buddy!

 

thats not bad

 

Like the sticker ont he steering wheel. Who are they foolin'? So the Panamera center console makes its way through the rest of the line. I do not think the buttons are that great. Especially buttons you do not use all the time you have to look at to use them. You can see something in peripheral view if it is ahead of you on the dash. To use the buttons on the center console you have to take your eyes off the road to find them. Not a fan of the button battery.

 

few more:

 

So is it fast? Interior looks Q7-ish layout wise.

 

Is it me or does the white Cayenne in the last shot looks like it has the lights of an F430.