THE PORSCHE CAYENNE HYBRID has been a long time coming, but now Wolfgang Durheimer, a board member with the German supercar manufacturer, has told German newspaper Rheinische Post that the Cayenne hybrid will finally hit the road in the second half of next year.

Details of the Porsche Cayenne hybrid have been thin on the ground, although it was revealed earlier this year that it would draw power from Audi’s 248kW/438Nm 3.0 litre supercharged V6, combined with a three-phase synchronous electric motor, itself developing 39kW and 299Nm of torque.

The electric motor doubles as the alternator and pulls its charge from a nickel-metal hydride battery which weighs only 70kg (154lb) and fits into the spare wheel well.

The hybrid system is able to run on either petrol power or electricity alone, or a combination of the two.

The electric motor can run without assistance from the petrol engine at speeds up to 138km/h (86mph) and distances up to 1.9km (1.2 miles).

A regenerative braking system restores charge to the battery pack which can also be topped up by the petrol engine at highway speeds.

An eight-speed transmission, with long gears at the top-end for improved efficiency at cruising speeds, is paired with the hybrid system.

Porsche’s hybrid system is expected to feature in a hybrid version of the Panamera as well, which is rumoured to be on the way to a late 2009 debut.

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