MNN - Mother Nature Network

Porsche is known for its sleek and speedy cars, but beginning next month, the company will also be known for selling hybrids. The automaker will begin selling the company’s first production hybrid, the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid SUV, next month at 197 Porsche dealerships nationwide.

 

Although this is a hybrid vehicle, don’t expect to see record-breaking fuel efficiency. Drivers can expect to achieve 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The Cayenne S Hybrid has a top speed of 150 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds — definitely not typical of most hybrids.

 

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is equipped with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine and a 47 horsepower (34 kW) electric motor. The vehicle is capable of driving in electric-only mode at speeds up to 37 mph and can enter a reduced emissions coasting state at higher speeds.

 

Porsche’s new hybrid is equipped with technology that allows the SUV to coast for up to 1 mile at cruising speeds with the combustion engine turned off. If the driver is in coast mode and needs to pass another driver, the combustion engine starts back up with a push of the accelerator, giving the driver nearly instant access to the powerful V6 engine. The coasting ability can increase overall fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions.

 

The 2011 Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid will be available next month with a starting price of $67,700. While this is Porsche’s first production hybrid vehicle, it most likely won’t be the last. The company was overwhelmed with the positive response it received after introducing the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid concept at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. Perhaps Porsche dealerships will be preparing for a hybrid supercar debut in the coming year.