Porsche to Offer Hybrid Cayenne in 2009

German car manufacturer Porsche AG announced today that it is currently developing a hybrid drivetrain for its Cayenne sport-utility vehicle, in an attempt to cut average fuel consumption by a third. When the hybrid Cayenne enters the market in 2009 Porsche wants it to sip “just� 8.9 liters of petrol per 100 km (26.8 mpg), whereas the current entry-level 250 hp V6 Cayenne guzzles 12.9 liters (18.5 mpg). The introduction of the hybrid model is Porsche’s response to tighter carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions regulation in the European Union as well as a growing interest in environment-friendly cars among consumers. Hybrid cars are equipped with an electric motor alongside the conventional combustion engine, enabling emission-free city-driving. Despite slagging behind their Japanese counterparts, German car manufacturers are finally beginning to roll out cars that are approaching the "130g CO2 per kilometer" target set by the EU for 2012... although the Cayenne, admittedly, still has a way to go. Note: Photo above is a previous generation Cayenne. It just looks like a hybrid...