The facelifted Cayenne gives us something else to be conflicted about, because while the Turbo GT lives on, emissions regulations prevent it from coming to Europe. Instead, we’ll get an extra-sporty version of the range-topping plug-in hybrid.
The new drivetrain, which will also be available in the third-generation Panamera, receives the same electric components as the Cayenne E-Hybrid, including a 174bhp electric motor and a 25.9kWh lithium ion battery. That will enable an electric range of 51 miles, which CEOs picking their next company car will be delighted about.
Providing the meat of the power is the latest version of Porsche’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, which now runs a mono-scroll turbocharger with an electric wastegate in place of the twin-scroll turbocharger used previously, among other changes.
The wholesale increase in power and torque pitches the most powerful of Porsche’s plug-in hybrid-powered Cayenne models into direct competition with the BMW XM Label Red, whose petrol-electric drivetrain kicks out 738bhp and 738lb ft.
We got to drive a prototype of the Cayenne Coupé with the GT package ahead of a planned unveiling at the Munich motor show next week, and performance is nothing short of scintillating.
