Porsche has revealed its most powerful SUV, which is now a plug-in hybrid.

The official naming designation for these new vehicles is Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupé. Both are visions of Porsche attempting to bridge the transition between its current range of powerful engines and a future which is going to be seemingly more battery-powered.

Porsche’s renowned 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine runs the same 404 kW state of tune that most followers of the brand will be familiar with, but in the E-Hybrid SUVs, it gains additional impetus thanks to an electric motor.

Total system output is a deeply impressive 500 kW, supported by 900 Nm. Although the additional hybridization technologies have ballooned the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s weight to 2490 kg, its performance is startling for a large SUV.

Porsche claims that its most potent plug-in SUV will run 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and 0-200 kph in 13.2 seconds. Top speed in pure electric drive mode is 135 kph, whilst using the combined drivetrain will see these new turbocharged E-Hybrid Porsche SUVs power to 295 kph.

How does the hybrid system work? It's a mild application of the concept, with a small electric motor integrated into the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. Feeding this electric motor is a 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and at peak discharge, the electric elements of Porsche’s new hybrid powertrain can provide an additional 100 kW and 400 Nm.

Performance might be these new hybrid Porsches reason for being, but they are crediblyeconomical too – if driven in the appropriate configuration. Pure electric range totals 40 km of driving and ideal conditions will see combined consumption average to a very low 3.7l/100 km.

Recharging convenience? A domestic home socket will require six hours to fully recharge either the new Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupé.

Faster than any Porsche SUV that has gone before – and with the promise of significantly reduced fuel consumption for those owners who are regularly burdened by a commute mired in traffic, going greener has just become a bit more appealing.

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