Porsche Cayenne facelift and S E-Hybrid model revealed at Paris

This is the facelifted Porsche Cayenne, which is now on sale ahead of its arrival in UK showrooms on October 11.S The updated model has been revealed at the Paris Motor Show, with prices starting from £49,902 and rising to at least £93,763, updates for the five-seat luxury SUV include revised styling, an improved engine line-up and a more comprehensive kit list. 

Five variants will be available from launch: the familiar Diesel, S, S Diesel and Turbo models all return, and are joined by the all-new S E-Hybrid plug-in – the first time such a powertrain has featured in a premium 4x4. A new Cayenne GTS and flagship Turbo S will both join the range shortly after launch.

Redesigned styling

The latest version of Porsche’s second-generation Cayenne hasn’t been given a thorough styling overhaul, although it does benefit from a sharper overall look, particularly up front. The much larger grille is more clearly defined, and is joined by a reshaped bonnet and sculpted wheel arches. Also new are the airblades on the either side of the nose, which are intended to channel air into the two side intakes.

Moving further back, Porsche has clearly tweaked the flanks slightly, but the Cayenne’s rear gets a more noticeable redesign. The number plate indent, boot catch and two-part taillights have all been smoothed out, resulting in better integration and a cleaner appearance. Inside the lights themselves there’s also a reconfigured layout, plus the new-look quad exhausts are further incorporated within the lower bumper.

Interior images have not yet been released, however the new standard-fit multi-function sports steering wheel and paddle shift set-up apparently echoes that of the 918 Spyder, whilst rear seat comfort is set to improve, too.

Better engine performance and efficiency

On top of these surface changes, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has set about giving the Cayenne’s engines similar revamp, so that the entire line-up boasts increased performance and fuel efficiency.

The biggest change is the S E-Hybrid addition (priced from £61,474, exactly matching that of the S Diesel), which blends a supercharged 328bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with a 93bhp electric motor to deliver city car-rivalling CO2 emissions of just 79g/km and a remarkable 83.1mpg. 

The Cayenne's lithium-ion battery pack delivers an all-electric range of 22 miles at speeds of up to 70mph. Once the cells have been drained the Porsche can be recharged via the mains.

As you’d expect from Porsche, these eco-friendly credentials don’t come at the expense of performance. The hybrid drivetrain delivers a combined output of 416bhp and 590Nm of torque, resulting in a claimed 0-62mph sprint of 5.9 seconds and a 151mph top speed.

Also impressive is the Cayenne S’ (£60,218) new 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine, fully developed by Porsche to replace the current 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8. An improvement of over 2mpg of this unit sees economy hit up to 29.7mpg alongside emissions of as little as 223g/km CO2. Despite these cuts, power is up nearly 20bhp to 414bhp, and there’s an additional 50Nm of torque, taking the S up to 550Nm. At 5.5 seconds, 0-62mph is now 0.4 seconds quicker, and the 161mph limit is fractionally up as well.

The Turbo model (£93,763), meanwhile, gets 513bhp and 750Nm from its 4.8-litre twin-turbo V8, 0-62mph taking no more than 4.5 seconds flat out. This is paired to as much as 25.2mpg, 261g/km C02 and a potential 173mph maximum.

For the Cayenne Diesel (£49,902) there’s a smaller 258bhp 3.0-litre V6 that’ll do 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and hit 137mph. EU6 emissions standard compliant, NEDC economy is officially set at 42.8 and emissions 173g/km CO2. The more-powerful S Diesel (£61,474) can’t match this unit for efficiency with its 380bhp 4.2-litre V8 – 35.3mpg is paired to 209g/km – but unsurprisingly it is quicker off the line, hitting 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds en route to 156mph.

More kit for your money

Alongside the new steering set-up, standard kit across the range extends to Porsche’s Traction Management all-wheel drive, plus bi-xenon headlights with four point LED daytime running lights, front and rear ParkAssist tech, cruise control, and automatic climate control. There’s an automatic open and close function for the boot, too, and an advanced ‘Auto Stop/Start Plus’ coasting system.

Opting for the current range-topping Turbo spec Cayenne adds to this with LED headlights that feature the brand’s Dynamic Lighting System, and Porsche will throw in 19-inch alloys, Active Suspension Management including self-levelling air suspension, and sat nav.

If these modifications don’t appear radical enough, it’s worth bearing in mind an all-new, third-generation Porsche Cayenne is still on course to arrive in 2017. This will sit on the same platform as Bentley’s forthcoming and as-yet-unnamed SUV and the new Audi Q7 that’s due out later this year.