Porsche has given hybrid technology top priority, according to a statement from the company released yesterday.
All Porsche models from next year will comply with EU5 emission standards in force from September 2009 as well as the EU6 standard not scheduled to take effect until September 2014, said the company.
Porsche plans to achieve that goal via the introduction of a so-called "full hybrid", combining a petrol engine with an electric motor, technology it's developing in concert with VW. Both power units can be run together and independently, allowing three different operating modes. The electric motor can provide sole power when starting off and full power's not called for, when manoeuvring and for town driving.
Porsche said that the hybrid motor will make its first appearance in the Cayenne before the end of the decade, and this technology is its top priority. Stuttgart said it expects the system to cut fuel consumption by 30 per cent, with the hybrid Cayenne improving on 31.4 mpg.
The company didn't say so, but it's also been widely reported that there will be a hybrid version of the Panamera, Porsche's forthcoming four-door GT that's due in 2009. The hybrid version of the GT won't arrive till some time after the initial launch, however.
Porsche was also keen to stress that all its engines can run on fuel with an ethanol additive. The sports cars are designed for 10 per cent ethanol and the Cayenne on 25 per cent ethanol. This lowers CO2 emissions linearly by the corresponding amount, said the company. Porsche said its development centre is also working on a so-called Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) able to run on both petrol alone and on a mixture of up to 85 per cent ethanol.
Along with lighter weight and technology such as VarioCam Plus valve management and direct petrol injection, the measures cut emissions of both CO2 and nitric oxide and help the company's vehicles fulfil EU standards.