Lifestyle: Motoring – Porsche Cayenne; Hybrids; Ford Fiesta
AS the battle for supremacy in the luxury SUV market gathers pace, Porsche has drafted in its latest heavy artillery – the new generation Cayenne.
Not blessed with outstanding looks, the 4×4 has nevertheless won buyers over during the 12 years it has been in production through a combination of its brutal performance and badge-appeal.
So, will the latest incarnation have Range Rover, BMW and Mercedes quaking in their boots; Porsche certainly hopes so.
The German manufacturer said the new version of its off-road flagship featured key characteristics including sharper design, boosted efficiency and an enhanced range of standard features.
It boasts that as a sports car among SUVs, the Cayenne “offers a lot of room for a lot of driving fun; combining high performance and typical Porsche design DNA”.
Porsche first introduced the Cayenne in 2002 and in doing so virtually created a new market niche – the luxury off-road sports car, formerly the territory of rally cars and little else.
In the decade and two years that have followed sales have exceeded all expectations. Over 276,000 examples of the first generation Cayenne were produced (2002 to 2010), and around 303,000 units of the second generation, which was introduced in 2010, have been produced so far.
Over this period, the Cayenne has not only boosted profits growth at Porsche, it has also created a solid economic foundation for investments in future generations of the company’s sports cars.
The new model is on sale now but won’t be arriving in Porsche Centres until October.
The vehicle is being launched in five versions: Cayenne Diesel, Cayenne S, Cayenne S Diesel and Cayenne Turbo.
The sports car company said the highlight of the range was the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, which makes its world premiere as the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. This model, together with the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, makes Porsche the only car manufacturer in the world to offer three plug-in hybrid models.
A further development is the new 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine in the Cayenne S, which was fully developed by Porsche.
Overall, every Cayenne powertrain shows improved performance figures as well as better fuel economy than equivalent previous versions.
The company said the new Cayenne models had been designed to consume significantly less fuel, partly through the use of new features such as an advanced ‘Auto Stop/Start Plus’ coasting function.
The technology used in the Cayenne S E-Hybrid features a lithium-ion traction battery with an energy capacity of 10.9 kWh, which enables an all-electric driving range of 18 to 36 km, depending on the style of driving and nature of the route.
The power of the electric motor is more than doubled from 47 hp (34 kW) to 95 hp (70 kW). The combined fuel consumption is a claimed 83 mpg (79 g/km CO2). The three-litre V6 supercharged engine (333 hp / 245 kW) and the electric motor (95 hp / 70 kW) are said to produce a combined system power of 416 hp (306 kW) at 5,500 rpm and a total system torque of 590 Newton metres from 1,250 to 4,000 rpm.
The company said this enabled drivers to experience a performance akin to a sports coupé: zero to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 151 mph. The top speed in all-electric driving is 77 mph. The traction battery can be charged from the electric power grid or while driving.
The new 3.6-litre V6 bi-turbo engine in the Cayenne S, which was developed entirely at Porsche, is targeted at fuel consumption of between 29.7 mpg and 28.8 mpg (223-229 g/km CO2), which is an improvement of over 2 mpg versus the previous V8 engine. The bi-turbo V6 develops 420 hp (309 kW) at 6,000 rpm – a gain of 20 hp/15 kW.
With its standard eight-speed Tiptronic S transmission, the Cayenne S should accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 5.5 seconds (5.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package) – 0.4 seconds faster than the previous Cayenne S. Top speed is now 161 mph (an increase of one mph).
The Cayenne Turbo’s 4.8-litre engine with eight-cylinders and twin turbochargers boosts engine power to 520 hp (382 kW) at 6,000 rpm, with torque of 750 Nm from 2,250 to 4,000 rpm. This lets the Turbo accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds (4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono package). Its top speed is 173 mph. Fuel consumption is 25.2 to 24.5 mpg (261-267 g/km CO2).
Inside, the driver now gets a new multi-function sports steering wheel with gear shift paddles as standard; its look and operation is based on the steering wheel design of the 918 Spyder. The rear seating system has also been made more comfortable, and seat ventilation can now be ordered as an option.
Prices for the Cayenne range are as follows:
Cayenne Diesel £49,902
Cayenne S £60,218
Cayenne S Diesel £61,474
Cayenne S E-Hybrid £61,474
Cayenne Turbo £93,763
Breathe easy as hybrids set to stop cities choking
BRITAIN’S city centres are bearing the brunt of air pollution and the worst-hit areas might not meet clean targets for at least another 15 years, according to a new Government report.
Statistics released by Defra show nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in Greater London, the West Midlands and West Yorkshire are unlikely to comply with EU levels until at least 2030 – five years or more beyond the Government’s last projection. The World Health Organisation highlights NO2 as a significant air pollutant that contributes to respiratory diseases, in particular among children suffering from asthma.
There is even talk of a £10 levy on diesel vehicles travelling through London.
Not surprisingly, many manufacturers are stressing the environmental benefits of their latest models.
Toyota said its hybrids emitted virtually no nitrogen oxide (NOx) and could run pollution-free in the worst city-centre traffic.
It claimed its Hybrid Synergy Drive system, available in Prius, Prius+, Auris, Auris Touring Sports and Yaris models in the UK, created only minimal amounts of NOx and no particulates, and already conformed with the more stringent, up-coming Euro 6 vehicle emissions standards.
What’s more, it said these vehicles could all be driven short distances at city traffic speeds on electric power alone, with zero exhaust pipe emissions.
Toyota spokesman, Neil Broad said: “People are now well aware of the benefits of the low CO2 emissions associated with our hybrids, and the importance of reducing greenhouse gases to protect the atmosphere. The impact of NOx on air quality and public health is a growing concern, and it’s an area where, again, Toyota’s hybrid technology performs strongly.
“By choosing a hybrid vehicle, our customers can virtually eliminate NOx and particulate emissions and reduce their carbon footprint, most importantly when driving in urban traffic – the worst pollution hot-spots. Low running costs, a superb reliability record and no-compromise cabin and luggage space all add to the compelling hybrid argument.”
Time for a party as Fiesta reaches major milestone
BRITAIN’S most popular car has achieved a major milestone. The Ford Fiesta is now officially the UK’s best-selling vehicle of all time, with total sales topping 4,115,000 and still rising.
First launched in 1976, the Fiesta has led the small car segment in the UK for 27 of the 37 year period. It has been Britain’s best-selling car since 2009 when it overtook the Ford Focus.
This month it surpassed the historic record of the Ford Escort which sold 4,105,961 in the 32 years it was on sale in the UK from 1968 through to 2000.
Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain chairman and managing director, said: “The Ford Fiesta has gone from strength to strength and today’s car combines style, value, driving dynamics and remarkable technologies such as the multi-award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. It continues to outsell its nearest retail competitor by more than two to one – and that really tells the story of this extraordinary car.”
Technical progress since the original Fiesta was introduced is a step-change. For example, it would now take more than 80 modern-day Fiestas to generate the NOx emissions of a single 1976 Mk1 model. The first-generation Fiesta, with the four-cylinder 950cc petrol engine, weighed around 800kg and achieved 37.7mpg, with CO2 emissions of almost 150g/km. Today’s fully-equipped model, with the 1.0-litre 100PS EcoBoost engine, weighs nearly 1,100kg, yet boasts a combined fuel economy of 65.7mpg and just 99g/km CO2 emissions.
More than 40% of Fiesta buyers in the UK today choose the turbo-charged 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, and almost 90% opt for higher level specification – Zetec, Zetec S, Titanium, Titanium X and ST models with the Ford SYNC voice-controlled connectivity system. The most popular Ford Fiesta series in Britain is the Zetec.
Fiesta Timeline:
1972: Fiesta conceived as secret Project Bobcat to create a new Ford small car
1973: Ford board of directors give go-ahead to produce Bobcat
1974: Construction of Ford’s new Valencia manufacturing complex
1975: Fiesta name chosen by Henry Ford II
1976: Mk I introduced in 1.0- and 1.1-litre Ghia form. UK launch falls into 1977
1977: Ford introduces larger displacement 1.3-litre version
1978: Fiesta wins British Design Council Award.
1979: Millionth Fiesta built for worldwide sales. Special sporty version enters Monte Carlo Rally – this would become the XR2
1981: Ford introduces the new Fiesta XR2 with a 1.6-litre engine, stiffer suspension, unique alloy wheels and styling treatments. First 100mph Fiesta
1983: Mk II launched with fifth gear. 1.6 litre diesel becomes first in class.
1984: First Fiesta runs on lead-free petrol. XR2 version introduced
1987: Best sales year just under 154,000 Fiesta were sold in Britain. CTX continuously variable transmission added to Fiesta range
1989: Mk III launched with anti-lock brakes and lean-burn engines. Available for the first time as a five-door. Fiesta is first small car with ABS. Fiesta MKIII adds 1.4-litre – first Ford engine to meet pending European emission standards due to take effect in 1996. Fiesta XR2i joins the range
1990: 135PS Fiesta RS Turbo launched
1993: Driver airbags standard.
1996: Mk IV launched with Zetec engines. Dual airbags standard. Fiesta Ghia 1.3-litre added to UK range
2002: Mk V launched initially in five-door with new line up of engines including the new Duratec petrols, the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre 16v. 1.4-litre Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel added and Durashift EST auto
2003: Three-door version
2005: 150PS Fiesta ST launched – most powerful to date
2006: Refreshed Fiesta launched with voice activation and Bluetooth
2007: Ford Verve concept debuts at IAA Frankfurt motorshow
2008: Mk VI launched. Fiesta ECOnetic becomes UK’s most fuel efficient 5-seat family car with 76.3mpg and 98g/km CO2
2009: Fiesta makes North American debut
2011: Fiesta S1600 special edition 1.6-litre, 134PS arrives, Fiesta RS world rally car makes its competitive debut
2012 – New Fiesta is launched, new powertrains including the award winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost and technologies with Ford SYNC and MyKey
2013 – New Fiesta ST launched with 182PS 1.6L EcoBoost engine
2014 –1.0-litre EcoBoost, triple time winner of International Engine of the Year, offered at 140PS Fiesta Zetec S Red and Black editions
