Pop into any good bookshop and you are guaranteed to find a huge selection of ‘self-help' books on the shelves.
These cover a wide range of subject areas from business to relationships, but a common theme among all is the importance of looking for ways to turn a negative into a positive.
Whether Porsche has a large selection of such reading material in the boardroom, only a privileged few will know, however, the German premium car manufacturer has certainly managed to turn a frown upside down where the Porsche Cayenne is concerned.
In an age of (albeit enforced) austerity and hyper green sensitivity, the Cayenne — the very epitome of the ostentatious ‘gas-guzzler' — was hardly the darling of the motoring industry.
Regardless of where you stand in the green debate — and ignoring the miracle work performed by Porsche in making the Cayenne a vehicle that was as competent around a race track as it was towing a horsebox across a muddy field — a huge SUV that could be purchased in a specification that offered a combined efficiency of 18mpg is always going to leave a manufacturer open to accusations of not being eco friendly. With this in mind, Porsche has been hard at work creating a more fuel-efficient Hybrid version of the Cayenne. And, in doing so, it has not only managed to show its eco credentials in a more positive light, but has also cleverly managed to add to the power and performance that Porsche drivers love — a double-whammy of positivity that any ‘self-help' author would be proud of.
Unlike the regular petrol and recently-introduced diesel variant, the Cayenne Hybrid S boasts an additional electric motor connected to the four-wheel drive powertrain. Producing 47bhp and 400Nm of torque, the system boosts the power provided by the supercharged V6 unit to enable a 0-100kph acceleration of just 6.5 seconds.
This has to be one of the most pleasing by-products to have emerged from the motoring industry in quite a long time, as the performance increase is clearly not the key reason behind the hybrid powertrain development.
CO2 emissions of 193g/km and combined fuel consumption of 34.4mpg compared to 26.9mpg (itself a 23 per cent improvement) from the similarly performing latest Cayenne S V8 model speaks for itself, as does the refinement that comes from the notably smooth stop-start system, silky eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and ability to drive on electric power alone.
With the battery fully topped up by the Cayenne S Hybrid's energy recuperation system, the model can drive at up to 64kph for a potential 2.0 km without the engine needing to start. For creeping around town, in stop and start traffic or stuck in a summer jam, it's an ideal solution.
The hybrid system can be equally active at cruising speed. The Cayenne S Hybrid features a function Porsche calls ‘sailing', which allows the engine to shut down and the electric motor to maintain momentum when the driver backs off the throttle at speed. Slightly unnerving at first, it almost feels as though cruise control has been accidentally activated, but it becomes second nature quickly making the mechanical drag of a non-assisted petrol or diesel engine feel outdated. The fuel saving potential is excellent.
The fact that little has changed in terms of ambience and luxury inside the SUV is as important to the Cayenne S Hybrid as the fact that much has changed under the bonnet.
The 2010 Porsche Cayenne features a wheelbase 40mm longer than the outgoing model, offering more interior space for rear passengers in particular, and boasts a rear bench that can be moved forwards and backwards to adjust between legroom and luggage space.
With equipment and build worthy of the Porsche badge — including an advanced powertrain analysis system in the Cayenne S Hybrid model — it lives up to its luxury SUV image.
More has been done to enhance the sporting image from inside the cabin, however, with a dashboard and centre console style more reminiscent of the Panamera and 911 models. The high transmission tunnel with swathes of controls for driver and front passenger has a very pleasing affect.
Of course, the Cayenne's party piece is the driving dynamics, and the S Hybrid proves every bit as potent as Cayenne drivers have come to expect. Despite the raised driving position, there is eerily little body roll, no submarining on the brakes and sportscar stability under heavy acceleration. A complex chassis management system keeps the large model pointing in the right direction but, even without the assistance, the Cayenne platform responds like a sports coupé despite offering the ride of an executive saloon.
As always, the Cayenne S Hybrid is an SUV you can confidently throw around, only now you can do it without throwing away fuel.
Model Cayenne S Hybrid
Engine 3.0-litre V6 Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Max power 380bhp @ 5,500rpm
Max torque 579Nm @ 3,000rpm
Top speed 241kph
0-100kph 6.5sec
Price TBC
Interior
Exterior
Trim
Transmission
Engine
Performance
Appeal
UAE friendly
Plus Even more power, less fuel
Minus There are better options to go green
Specs & rating