Hybrid SUV set for Geneva unveiling

Luxury car manufacturer Porsche has confirmed that it will launch a hybrid version of its popular Cayenne SUV at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

The Cayenne S Hybrid is the cleanest car in Porsche's top-end portfolio, offering fuel consumption of 8.2 liters/100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of 193 g/km. By comparison, the Cayenne Turbo uses 11.5 liters/100 km, whilst the Toyota Prius, the world's best selling hybrid vehicle, delivers 3.9 liters/100km.

The hybrid version can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h on emission-free electric power before switching to gasoline power. Porsche promises that all of the models in the Cayenne range are lighter and more fuel efficient than their predecessors, as well as being more spacious and comfortable - the new model is 48 mm longer. The new Cayenne S Hybrid will retail at €65,900.

Porsche is not the only manufacturer prepping new hybrid models, however. Ferrari is rumored to be readying the launch of a hybrid version of its 599 supercar. Meanwhile, Japanese automaker Honda begins sales of a new hybrid compact February 26, quoting a fuel consumption from 4 liters/100km. The CR-Z aims to sell 1,000 vehicles per month in Japan before rolling out the model to Europe and North America this summer.

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the public March 4 and runs through March 14.

Website: http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/