Porsche to make a hybrid
by on 05.24.05
According to the Detroit News, Porsche will make a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV in 2008/2009. One reason behind this decision is certainly the rising oil prices which must have played a part in the 27% decrease in sales for 2005 so far. It is very doubtful that a Porsche SUV, even if hybrid, would be of much interest to a treehugger, but it is nonetheless a significant vehicle...
The Porsche hybrid SUV itself probably won't have much impact on the environment, as it's a fairly low-volume unit (I'd rather see a fuel-efficient F150 pickup), but it is another step forward in the mainstreaming of hybrid technology, and Porsche's strong brand could have a halo effect on what we could call the "hybrid brand". It's not just for treehuggers anymore, I can hear them say. Look, even Lexus and Porsche are making them.
Most people can't afford a Porsche or Lexus, but if it gets people dreaming about hybrids instead of 5.3 liters Hemi engines and double-turbos, that's progress! Next step, a Porsche bicycle!
::Porsche planning a hybrid version of its SUV, via ::Autoblog
[by MGR]
Regarding Hybrid Cars - Check out the gas savings calculator at MixedPower.com to see how much you can save with a hybrid vehicle. Most people are prety surprised at how quickly you recoup the "extra" cost, especially with rising gas prices.
If you are interested in Hybrid vehicles there is a lot more information there as well.
Cheers!
If you have a job that requires you to drive your own car and get reimbursed at a standard rate, hybrid driving can net you some cash that speeds up arrival at the "break even" point for the incremental investment in hybrid.
Porsche already makes bicyles:
http://www.kinisibikes.com/porsche/porsche2004.htm
Or at least lends their name to them...
I might just nit-pickin here...but in the case of "double turbos," or any turbos, how does a turbocharger = less fuel efficient? If my biodiesel burning TURBO Jetta didn't have it's turbocharger, I'd be burning a lot more fuel trying to keep up with traffic.
the 5.3 liters thing I agree with though ;)
peace!
Good point, Pete.
I was thinking in particular of the double-turbo 911s which are not quite what I'd call fuel-efficient.
even though these never hybrids do not do much in the way of getting good mileage they do help as they work pretty much just as a prius system would work just they do it to add power which still does help mileage sicne otherwise there would be a larger engine in there doing all the work and that wouldnt help emissions either
I would love to see a turbocharged hybrid. I hope Porsche builds one! Getting more horsepower for the same amount of fuel consumed is a good thing.
I think you are confusing turbochargers with superchargers which consume more air and fuel. Turbocharges do consume more air, but last I looked there is plenty of that around ;)
neither hybrids made by lexus nor by porsche is terribly noteworthy/surprising since these are japanese and german brands. the influence of the german green party and other environmentalist aspects of germany's culture has influenced the design of even the most powerful production porsche. and in considering some aspects of auto racing; using 100% ethanol in some groups is common and diesel racing cars are becoming more popular. and considering that a porsche boxter gets 32mpg on the highway, i would think such a car would fall around the middle of an environmentalist's list of desirable cars -- way above popular american made cars.
I love the hybrid porsche
I saw on FLD that it will be able to go 70mph on the electric motor alone.