MOTORS Porsche’s brilliant hybrid

THE ECO-FRIENDLY CAYENNE

The latest Porsche Cayenne is brimming with tech, great looks and has a peerless driving dynamic. But now, it’s also more eco-friendly, too, thanks to a hybrid model, which is our pick of the range...

Words: Rob Davis.

WHEN THE PORSCHE CAYENNE launched in 2002 there were a cynical few who guffawed at the idea of an off-roader from a company more firmly established in the sports car market.

They’re not laughing now. Over 700,000 motorists worldwide have a Cayenne on their driveway and the model has also given way to a junior model, the Macan. But times are changing, and now, large SUVs more than any other class of car need to prove their eco-friendly credentials to potential customers. And so, the third generation Cayenne includes within its lineup an E-Hybrid version which combines a 3.0V6 engine with a 17.9kWh battery to provide the best of both worlds; an electric-only range of nearly 30 miles, plus a combined output of 462ps to provide a visceral driving experience.

In performance terms, 60mph is reached and breached in five seconds flat for safer overtaking, whilst top speed is 157mph.

Despite its performance credentials, the plug-in Cayenne rewards drivers with up to 91mpg combined and drops its CO2 emissions from the conventional diesel’s 259 to just 71g/km.

That means the Cayenne is cleaner and better for the planet, but also ideal for those who want to run the Cayenne through as a company vehicle. >>

>> And of course, not only is the E-Hybrid a superb powertrain, the Cayenne itself is a wonderfully versatile vehicle with plenty of room in the cabin for five adults and a whopper of a boot; larger even than a Range Rover PHEV at 645 litres compared to 577 litres.

The Cayenne is also well-equipped with a power tailgate, climate control, power adjustable heated leather seats, navigation, reversing camera, cruise control and keyless entry all standard.

Save some budget for options though... there are no fewer than 16 different wheels, 11 different leathers, plus a wealth of wood, and carbon fibre interior finishers available. Few cars if any in the Cayenne’s class have a comparable ability to customise the look of your vehicle, and that’s before you specify driver assistance goodies like adaptive cruise, smartphone-powered remote controlled parking, and night vision. Porsche also provides customisation via its Exclusive Manufaktur programme. Cayenne pricing begins at a whisper under £61,000, with Hybrid-E models about £10,000 more. The likely higher residuals for the plug-in version and fuel savings go along way to justifying the initial outlay, and with punchy acceleration from the electric motor the thumping performance is likely to feel not too far off the six-figure Turbo version of the Cayenne. The plug-in, therefore, is definitely our pick of the range. With huge practicality, exceptional driving dynamics, plenty of scope for customisation, plus a really strong combination of its V6 and electric motor, it’s the version of an already exceptionally good car that’ll prove easiest to live with. n

PORSCHE CAYENNE

Price: £71,040 (available now). Engine: 3.0V6 petrol with 136ps electric motor, total 462ps, 8-speed PDK auto, all wheel drive. Performance: 0-62 mph: 5.0 seconds. Top Speed: 157mph. Combined economy of 91.1mpg. Electric range of 30 miles. Equipment: Heated leather seats, navigation, cruise, climate.

Plug-In Performance: All wheel drive performance cars

Range Rover Sport P400e HSE Silver £75,425: Land Rover has done a great job integrating a 2.0V4 petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrain into its Range Rover Sport. The cabin, too, has been facelifted recently integrating a much-improved infotainment system. The Range Rover Sport can also be specified with seven seats too. It’ll only manage 25 miles of all-electric range but it’ll prove peerless off road and it’s well-equipped. Look out though, as the Sport is set to be replaced with an all new model in 2022. n

Mercedes Benz GLE350de AMG-Line Premium Plus £69,835: The monster Merc provides a decent boot, roomy cabin with five seats and a plug-in hybrid powertrain generating 194hp + 136hp. The GLE’s drivetrain provides a potential 256.8mpg and an electric-only range of 61.5 miles which is really impressive to say the least. Driving dynamics can’t match the Cayenne, but it’s well equipped in Premium Plus trim with panoramic roof, Driving Assistance package, 360° camera and augmented reality navigation as well as active parking assistance and one of the smartest cabins on the market. n

Tesla Model X 100kWh Dual Motor £137,650: A refreshing approach to the performance SUV, Tesla’s Model X utilises dual motors to ensure full-electric driving with a range of over 300 miles, CO2 free. That’s not to say it’s a slouch, though. In fact, with 60mph reached and breached in 2.9 seconds, it’s even quicker than the others. The interior is very minimal, with just a larger iPad-style central screen and hardly a physical button to be found. Gullwing doors add to the gratuitous uniqueness of the car too, making the Tesla the ideal car for the responsible extrovert. n

THE BEST of THE ZEST

Is there any better shade for this summer’s most cheerful open top car than acid yellow? But the new Mini Convertible’s appeal isn’t just its retro looks; it’s packed with technology and represents great value...

Words: Rob Davis.

WHAT COULD BE CHEERIER than the sight WHAT COULD BE CHEERIER than the sight of a luminous blue summer heavy with of a luminous blue summer heavy with bright blue cotton-wool clouds? How about bright blue cotton-wool clouds? How about that same scene viewed from behind the that same scene viewed from behind the wheel of a soft-top Mini? wheel of a soft-top Mini? The latest iteration was upgraded with more The latest iteration was upgraded with more tech and fresh options this spring, and this tech and fresh options this spring, and this is the result. This Zesty Yellow paint job is a is the result. This Zesty Yellow paint job is a reasonable £525 extra, and you’re able to reasonable £525 extra, and you’re able to specify different body decals, contrasting specify different body decals, contrasting mirror colours and other stylish touches. mirror colours and other stylish touches. Two particularly funky touches are the Two particularly funky touches are the Union Flag design printed across the fabric Union Flag design printed across the fabric roof, and the same Union Flag design for roof, and the same Union Flag design for the rear light clusters. the rear light clusters. And yet for all its scope for customisation And yet for all its scope for customisation the Mini is by no means a case of style over the Mini is by no means a case of style over substance. It’s priced from £21,000, and substance. It’s priced from £21,000, and there’s a choice of 1.5-litre three cylinder there’s a choice of 1.5-litre three cylinder Cooper, 2.0V4 Cooper S and firebreathing Cooper, 2.0V4 Cooper S and firebreathing John Cooper Works engines, and either John Cooper Works engines, and either Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim levels. Classic, Sport and Exclusive trim levels. Our recommendation is the 1.5 litre engine Our recommendation is the 1.5 litre engine in Exclusive trim, with its leather seats, and in Exclusive trim, with its leather seats, and depending on how outgoing you are, either depending on how outgoing you are, either that bright yellow paint job or a more that bright yellow paint job or a more restrained Island Blue shade. restrained Island Blue shade. Opt for Satellite Grey leather, and add the Opt for Satellite Grey leather, and add the Comfort Plus and Driving Assistant packs, Comfort Plus and Driving Assistant packs, plus the heated screen and steering wheel plus the heated screen and steering wheel options and you’ll enjoy big car tech in a options and you’ll enjoy big car tech in a package that’s small but perfectly formed. package that’s small but perfectly formed. Whilst the boot’s a bit pokey, there are four Whilst the boot’s a bit pokey, there are four seats, albeit best suited to children, so the Mini seats, albeit best suited to children, so the Mini is the sports car that you’ll be able to use, park is the sports car that you’ll be able to use, park in tight spots and live with all year round. in tight spots and live with all year round. For under £30,000 you’ll end up with a For under £30,000 you’ll end up with a car that has plenty of kit, great driving car that has plenty of kit, great driving dynamics and a wealth of character. dynamics and a wealth of character. Small it might well be, but in any derivative Small it might well be, but in any derivative the Mini has sufficient charm. And the the Mini has sufficient charm. And the convertible? Well, it just makes that summer convertible? Well, it just makes that summer sun shine a little bit brighter. nsun shine a little bit brighter. n

2021 MINI CONVERTIBLE

Price: £26,005 (Exclusive). Engine: 1,499cc, three-cylinder. Performance: mph in 8.8 seconds, 127mph. Equipment: Leather, power roof, electric windows, cruise, ambient lighting. n

Bourne to drive...

GRIMSTHORPE CELEBRATION FOR THE UNEXCEPTIONAL CARS WE ALL LOVE!

BOURNE Grimsthorpe Castle this month hosts the... dah dah dah dah dah dah daaaaaa: completely mundane. The Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional returns in 2021, and takes place on Saturday, July 31st at Grimsthorpe Castle near Bourne, celebrating the ordinary, maligned and unloved cars of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s... like my first car, an orange and beige Volvo 340, registration A380NAG. There will of course be judging and award ceremonies, so if your Alfa Arna keeps getting turned away from Villa d’Este then there’s always the chance of some silverware in the Concours de l’Ordinaire instead. 2019’s victor was a 1977 Morris Marina, so the bar to entry is high. Or is it low? n See www.grimsthorpe.co.uk. LAND ROVER The appeal of the Range Rover Evoque has been broadened even further with the launch of a new powerful Range Rover Evoque P300 HST. The Evoque P300 HST takes inspiration from the larger Range Rover Sport HST and is exclusively available with Land Rover’s potent P300 Ingenium petrol engine. Reaching 60mph in 6.5 seconds, and with gloss black exterior trim, the new Range Rover Evoque P300 HST is available now, priced from £50,440. n

Sporty new version of Land Rover’s Evoque...

Brrr-illiant new ‘Defender’

RESURRECTION OF LAND ROVER’S ORIGINAL DEFENDER BY CHEMICALS BILLIONAIRE JIM RATCLIFFE DELAYED UNTIL 2022 INEOS Is Land Rover’s new Defender is a little too rich for your palate, we’re afraid you’ll have to wait a little longer for the back-to-basics off-roader from chemical-industry billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Jim’s Ineos Grenadier – named after his favourite pub in Belgravia, incidentally – has been pushed back to July 2022. It’ll be worth waiting for, though; the Grenadier has just completed its cold weather testing in the notorious trails of the Schöckl mountain near Magna Steyr’s in Austria, part of over 1.8 million kilometres of testing in extreme environments around the world. n

MOTORING NEWS

In Brief

COVID RECOVERY

MOTOR INDUSTRY CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RECOVERY AFTER PROMISING SPRING

Spring saw an artificial 30-fold increase of new car registrations compared to the same month last year, but volumes still remained 12.9% lower than the 10-year average at just 141,583 new units, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). April 2020 saw just 4,321 cars sold, whilst April 2021 saw 141,583 driving off forecourts... an increase of 3,176%. Overall registrations for 2021 now stand at 567,108 units, some 32.5% down on the average recorded over the past decade and one in eight vehicles are now plug-in hybrid or electric cars. The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for £78.9 billion turnover and £15.3 billion value added. With 180,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 864,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 13% of total UK export of goods and invests more than £3 billion each year in automotive research and development. n

A Reds’ Eye View of Lincoln...

THE RED ARROWS HAVE CONFIRMED THEIR DISPLAY DATES FOR THE 2021 SEASON; THEIR LAST ONE BASED AT SCAMPTON

LINCOLN Well that’s one way to see the Cathedral... Hannah Smoker, the official photographer of the Red Arrows, took this photo of XX278 flying over the city. The Red Arrows were created as an amalgamation of previous display squadrons in 1964, and have now performed 4,800 displays in 57 countries. The squadron comprises 11 fast jet pilots and 100 engineering/support staff. Pilots have to have acquired 1,500 hours flying time in fast jets (e.g.: Typhoon or Tornado) and fly Hawk T1 jets.

The Red Arrows have confirmed the following display dates for 2021: 9th-11th July: Goodwood Festival of Speed. 18th July: Silverstone – British Grand Prix. 24th/25th July: Duxford Summer Airshow. 27th August: Sidmouth Air Display. 2nd-5th September: Bournemouth Air Festival. 9th September: Guernsey Air Display. 9th September: Jersey Intl., Air Display. 10th September: Sanicole Air Show. 11th/12th September: Cosford Airshow. n See www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows.

Image taken by: SAC Hannah Smoker, The Red Arrows’ official photographer.