2011 Porsche Cayenne Announced For Australia, Available From July 24

PORSCHE AUSTRALIA HAS today announced that the all-new 2011 Porsche Cayenne will arrive in local showrooms from July 24, headlined by the Cayenne S Hybrid.

The next generation Cayenne will hit global markets with three petrol engine options, ranging in power from 225kW to 373kW, and a turbo-diesel.

At the base of the 2011 Cayenne range is the 3.6 litre V6 developing 225kW, followed by the naturally-aspirated 298kW 4.8 litre V8. Top dog is a 373kW twin-turbo version of the 4.8 litre V8.

Of course, no SUV line-up is complete without a diesel option, especially a European SUV. A successor to the Cayenne diesel is planned, powered by a turbo-charged 180kW 3.9 litre common-rail diesel engine engine.

In Australia, the high-end V8 Cayenne S, V6 Cayenne S Hybrid and twin-turbocharged V8 Cayenne Turbo will be the first models available, followed by the V6 petrol and V6 diesel models in late August.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is fitted as standard for the new Cayenne. Off-roading opportunities will be limited, as the 2011 Cayenne will not be offered with a low-speed transfer case.

The Cayenne S Hybrid will combine a 248kW 3.0 litre petrol V6 Audi engine with a 35kW electric motor, powered by lithium ion batteries. Fuel consumption for the Hybrid model is listed at just 8.2 l/100km.

“From a design, engineering and sporty driving point of view we’ve made a great car even better,” says Porsche Cars Australia Managing Director, Michael Winkler.

“To showcase our Hybrid technology and add more equipment across the model range to improve the price-value relationship is also extremely positive.”

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).

Weighing in at around 2065kg - 180kg lighter than the current model - Porsche claims fuel consumption for the Cayenne Hybrid will be around 8.2 l/100km.

The new Cayenne's weight loss has been attributed to new techniques in the production of the doors - shedding 40kg there alone - greater use of aluminium and the absence of the two-speed transfer case.

The new Cayenne will be primarily built alongside the Audi Q7 and the Volkswagen Touareg at VW's Slovakian plant, with final touches completed at Porsche's factory in Germany.

Pricing & Availability

Porsche Australia says it has managed to restrict the new model's pricing premium to around one percent, bringing only a slight increase over the current range's pricing.

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne range goes on sale in Australia from July 24.

• 2011 Porsche Cayenne V6 Petrol - $103,500 (prev $102,500)
• 2011 Porsche Cayenne V6 Diesel - $104,500 (prev $103,700)
• 2011 Porsche Cayenne S - $147,900 (prev $146,900)
• 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid - $159,900
• 2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo - $239,900 (prev $237,200)