2015 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Will Be Third Plug-In For German Brand

Over the past few years, it's become clear that the German prestige makers are determined to offer plug-in electric vehicles across their various ranges.

Some makers are more aggressive (BMW), some less so (Mercedes-Benz)--but by the end of next year, there will be a dozen or more vehicles with plugs from the combined forces of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen.

The latest to be officially announced is the 2015 Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which adds a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the sports car maker's large, fast, and very profitable sport-utility vehicle.

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The Cayenne, now in its second generation, has been offered both with hybrid and diesel powertrains, though neither has sold in particularly high numbers in the U.S. market.

The plug-in hybrid system used in Porsche's SUV for 2015 is identical to that already on sale in the 2014 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid.

It comprises a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with a 70-kilowatt (95-horsepower) electric motor sandwiched between the engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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The company's engineers say the conventional automatic works more smoothly with the E-Hybrid's electric motor than the dual-clutch transmission used in gasoline models would.