2015 Porsche Cayenne facelift revealed – new 410bhp plug-in S E-Hybrid & new V6 Turbo

The Porsche Cayenne gets a facelift for 2015

The Porsche Cayenne is the best on-road SUV by far, and it gets even better with the launch of the 2015 model year Cayenne which gets a subtle – but effective – cosmetic makeover and some big changes in powertrain options. New to the Cayenne – and replacing the S Hybrid – is the Cayenne S E-Hybrid. It keeps the same Audi-sourced 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine as the outgoing hybrid, which has 328bhp and 325lb/ft of torque, and mates it to a new electric motor delivering 94bhp for a total of 410bhp and 434lb/ft of torque.

That new combination returns a 0-62mph of 5.9 seconds, but it’s the headline economy – and the BIK – that catches the eye.

Because the S E-Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid – with an electric-only range of up to 22 miles – it comes armed with official economy of 83.1mpg and Co2 emissions of just 79g/km. More evidence, if you needed it, that car makers now have a firm handle on Co2 taxation if that’s what you need.

It’s also cheerio to the 4.8 litre V8 in the Cayenne S, with Porsche ditching it in favour of the 3.6 litre twin-turbo petrol from the new Macan.

In the Cayenne, the 3.6 litre turbo delivers 414bhp and 405lb/ft of torque – 20bhp and 37lb/ft up on the old V8 – which means a 0-62mph of 5.4 seconds, 29.7mpg and 223g/km emissions.

Even the Porsche Cayenne Turbo gets a tweak, with the 4.8 litre V8 turbo now developing 512bhp and 553lb/ft of torque, enough to cut the 0-62mph to just 4.4 seconds, depsite which the Cayenne Turbo is now slightly more economical with official economy of 25.2mpg and emissions of 261g/km.

The Porsche diesels also get a small tweak, with the 3.0 litre diesel getting an extra 16bhp (now with 258bhp) and a 0-62mph of 7.2 seconds and the 4.2 litre S Diesel now has 380bhp, a 0-62mph of 5.3 seconds and 35.3mpg.

Other technical updates include an improved ‘Coast’ function, improved Stop-Start, Active Air flaps at the front for imp[roved aerodynamics and a retuned chassis that offers a better spread between comfort and sportiness.

On the styling front, Porsche has wrought a number of changes which, although subtle, do bring the Cayenne up to date with Porsche’s latest models and make it better looking in the process.

Out goes the slit nose on the lower Cayenne models to be replaced by a bigger grill and new bumper with blades on the air ducts for better cooling, tweaked front wings and re-contoured bonnet and more angular headlights – Xenons on all but the Turbo, which gets LEDs and Porsche Dynamic Light System.

Round the back, the new Cayenne gets better-looking angular lights, revised bumper and tail lights and a less bulbous look with the number plate recess and boot opener better integrated.

Inside, Porsche has also fitted a new steering wheel with paddles, inspired by the 918 Spyder, and had a play with the back seats to make them more comfortable.

The new Porsche Cayenne is already on sale, although it won’t get an official public debut until the Paris Motor Show in October.

Cayenne Diesel £49,902 Cayenne S £60,218 Cayenne S Diesel £61,474 Cayenne S E-Hybrid £61,474 Cayenne Turbo £93,763

By Cars UK