Third-generation 2015 Porsche Cayenne released offering more powerful and efficient engines with improved equipment levels.

PORSCHE HAS RELEASED a sharper looking, more efficient and better equipped Cayenne SUV. Launching in five variants, the third-generation 2015 Porsche Cayenne can be had as: Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S Diesel and also the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment.

While this third-generation Cayenne is still quite obviously a Porsche Cayenne, Porsche’s designers have given it a sharper look with everything forward of the windscreen having been completely redesigned. Bi-xenon headlights with ‘hovering’ four-point LED daytime running lights are now standard on the Cayenne Diesel, while the S and Turbo are also fitted with LED headlights but also with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) as standard.

Interior changes are focused mainly around the driver – a new multi-function sport steering wheel with shift paddles is standard; with its look and functions based on the steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. Nice. Rear seat comfort has been improved due to packaging tweaks and rear seat ventilation is now available as an option (although it really should be standard, it is on the Grand Cherokee). Porsche Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) is now standard on all models.

Like a lot of other car makers, Porsche has tried to give its range of Cayenne engines more power and torque but, at the same time, make them more efficient. All engines get a coasting function (which sees the engine decoupled from the transmission to prevent deceleration from engine braking) and stop-start.

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid is the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment and a big improvement over its hybrid predecessor, the Cayenne S Hybrid. The new model has a lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.9kWh, which enables an all-electric driving range of 18 to 36km, depending on your driving style and the terrain you’re driving across.

The power of the electric motor has been increased from 34kW to 70kW. The combined fuel consumption is now 3.4L/100 km (79 g/km CO2). The 3.0-litre V6 supercharged engine offers 245 kW and with the electric motor 70 kW produce a combined power output of 306kW at 5500rpm and total available torque of 590Nm from 1250 to 4000rpm.

The new 3.6-litre V6 twin-turbo engine of the Cayenne S develops 309kW at 6000 rpm – a gain of 15kW over the previous 4.8-litre V8. Maximum torque of 550Nm is available from 1350 to 4500rpm. With standard eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the Cayenne S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds (5.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) – 0.4 seconds faster than the previous V8 Cayenne S. The new Cayenne’s top speed is now 259 km/h (a gain of one km/h). Fuel consumption is 9.5L/100km.

The Cayenne Turbo gets a 4.8-litre V8 twin-turbo pushing out 382kW at 6000rpm and an additional 50Nm of torque for a maximum of 750Nm from 2250 to 4000 rpm. This is enough grunt to get the Cayenne Turbo to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Top speed is 279km/h. Fuel consumption is 11.2 to 11.5L/100 km.

The diesel versions of the Cayenne offer a 3.0-litre V6 engine (Cayenne Diesel) produces 193kW at 4000rpm and 580Nm from 1750 to 2500rpm. Fuel consumption is 6.6 to 6.8L/100 km (173-179 g/km CO2). The car already conforms to the EU6 emissions standard. The 4.2-litre V8 engine of the Cayenne S Diesel produces 283kW at 3750rpm and 850Nm of torque from 2000 to 2750rpm. It’ll hit 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds (5.3 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package). It drinks 8.0L/100 km (209 g/km CO2).

The new Cayenne range goes on-sale in Australia on November 8, 2014. Local pricing and specifications will be confirmed in the weeks ahead – we’ll let you know when they’ve been announced.