Porsche planning more plug-ins

Which automaker offers the most plug-in models in the industry? The answer may surprise you, because it's not Toyota, it's not Renault or Nissan or any other automaker that might spring to mind. The answer is Porsche, which already offers the Cayenne and Panamera in plug-in hybrid spec in addition to the 918 Spyder. And it could offer more in the near future.

Speaking with Automotive News, Porsche's global sales and marketing chief Bernhard Maier spoke of the importance of plug-in range-extended models to the company's future plans. The 55-year-old executive, who endeavors to make his 56-mile round-trip daily commute from home to the company's headquarters in Stuttgart entirely emissions free, indicated that his company only plans to offer more plug-in models.

Previous reports indicated that E-Hybrid powertrain in the Cayenne and Panamera wouldn't fit in the Macan, and that no such plans were in store for the Boxster, Cayman or 911. But when asked what Porsche had in store for the future, Maier replied: "We have a lot of ideas, but we have not approved them for production yet. The 918 Spyder shows that Porsche has the capability to produce very convincing hybrid sports cars."

While clearly guarded, Maier's answer points to a future of more plug-in hybrid models from the storied German marque. All that remains to be seen is whether that will come in the form of a Boxster, Cayman, Macan or another new model altogether, like the rumored mini-Panamera dubbed Pajun or a mid-engined V8 supercar.

Source: Autoblog

Porsche Cayenne PHEV will debut in 2014

Porsche's working on a plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV) powertrain for both its Cayenne and Panameramodels, Motor Trend reports. The Cayenne SUV PHEV will likely debut in 2014, followed shortly by the Panamera, according to the publication. We've heard about the Panamera PHEV before, and that there would be a Cayenne PHEV as well isn't exactly a surprise.

The powertrain will include an electric motor that delivers as much as 100 horsepower and a combined 420 horsepower with its V6 gas engine. Electric-only range will likely be more than 15 miles. Also in store is a V8 twin-turbodiesel Cayenne for the US market. Porsche is also working on a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the 918.

Currently, Porsche sells a small number of Cayenne and Panamera Hybrids in the US, with sales of just 1,445 units, combined, through October.



Source: Autoblog Green

Porsche focusing on deployment of plug-in hybrid technology

“Porsche is focusing on the deployment of plug-in hybrid technology in production,” according to Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board - Research and Development, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Hatz made the announcement at this year’s Vienna Motor Symposium.
Porsche began taking orders for the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid drive super sports car in March 2011, even as production development proceeded; first customer cars begin arriving in the United States near the end of 2013. (Earlier post.)
In addition, Hatz underscored the expansion of electrification in hybrid models and the optimization of the conventional combustion engine will play a major role in future drive system developments.

With the Panamera and the Cayenne, Porsche has already successfully launched two hybrid models on the market. The sales figures for the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid for 2011 are more than twice as high as the figures of all our competitors combined in this market segment.

—Wolfgang Hatz

Porsche is developing more solutions to get even greater efficiency and performance from the synergy effects of combustion engine and electric motor, Hatz said. Furthermore, he added, the potential of conventional combustion engines is far from being exhausted.
That's why, for Porsche, the combustion engine will continue to play a vital role for the drive system of sports cars in the foreseeable future.

—Wolfgang Hatz