The Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe is a balanced all-rounder in terms of both prudence and performance.
The Cotswolds, UK - Yes, you can take your electric vehicle (EV) on long road trips - you will just have to plan your recharge rest-stops strategically and hope everything works ok when you get there.
While some folks have no issue planning their lives around an appliance, I already find dealing with my electronic devices a chore. However, at least they're pocket-sized and unlikely to leave me stranded on cross-country road trips.
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In Singapore, an EV is the perfect city runabout, because these machines thrive in urban environments and relatively short travelling distances.
Besides, you'll never fret if you're running low on juice in Singapore because a public charger isn't likely to be more than 6km away from wherever you are.
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I had been meaning to try the new electric Macan, but at the prospect of covering huge distances in the UK with four adults and their barang-barang in tow, I was more partial to the convenience of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe.
In larger countries, this writer feels the petrol-electric hybrid that sits on the middle ground between pure-electric and ICE is still the all-rounded Goldilocks' choice, even though the latest EVs are now engineered to deliver a huge range.
Sure, you could orchestrate 'charging stops' into your schedule, but sometimes, you just want to head from A-to-B as fast as possible, with just a token five minute gas break in-between.
Don't forget that in its infancy, the automobile was the ultimate expression of freedom, so the last thing I'm keen on today is to be shackled to a charger.
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The Montego Blue Metallic test-car is suitably low-key and not so bling as to attract unwanted attention. It's packed with decent options, but they're the under-the-skin sort to enhance dynamics - such as PTV Plus and rear-axle steer - as opposed to loud colours and aesthetic elements.
If you're not familiar with the Cayenne Coupe, it features a more dynamic, sloping rear-roof silhouette than the regular Cayenne, but boasts close to its SUV sibling's levels of utility. It is properly 'stanced' too, with 21-inch "Cayenne Exclusive Design" alloy rims convincingly filling its fenders.
We were certainly thankful for the elevated ride height (compared to one of the sportier models), because we ended up fording flooded country roads on our way to the Cotswolds, thanks to Storm Bert's deluge. (pictured above: Cayenne S E-Hybrid muddy and bedraggled after plowing through the floods caused by Storm Bert)
We can imagine lower-riding vehicles floundering through the flood and highwater, but with a 280mm wading depth in off-road mode, the Cayenne Coupe took everything in its stride. If anything, we were thankful we didn't borrow one of the low-slung 911s or 718s, especially after we passed a good number of sedans stuck at the deepest dips of the road!
Power-wise, it is "just-right", and this includes occasions when you're cruising, as well as crushing it. With a combined 519hp and 750Nm, it's no slouch, especially with the fat wedge of torque (from ICE and electric motor) on tap from a little over tickover.
Sure, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe will muscle its way from 0-100km/h in just over 4.5secs, and while its motorway cruising ability is beyond reproach, we found it to really excel on the winding, country roads.
It's how seamlessly the electric powertrain works with the V6 engine that is so impressive, as it effortlessly cycles between the electric and engine powertrains, as well as a potent, ragey hybrid combination of the two when you're mustering its full might.
Best of all, in full electric mode, the sporty crossover boasts an estimated 80km range, which is perfect for city commutes and last-mile motoring.
As you can imagine, when you're taking it easy, this translates to a frugal fuel consumption of 1.8l/100km in the combined cycle.
There's an engaging balance to the car's handling as you hustle it down the serpentine B-roads, yet it is properly planted when you're cruising at higher speeds so it never feels too nervous at the helm. True to Porsche form, the steering is beyond reproach and the Cayenne S E-Hybrid can deliver the dynamics when you turn its wheel in anger.
We had strung the Cayenne through a series of twisties to the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone to attend a 90 minute driving experience in a 991.1 GTS.
A key takeaway during the drive back was how Porsche's dynamic DNA isn't just reserved for its sportscar models, but pervades its entire model range to encompass Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and Taycan.
Too many armchair enthusiasts look at just the hard stats, but it is how Porsche mixes up all the ingredients to create a compelling driving instrument that makes all the difference.
This is the sort of sporty machine that encourages smooth inputs, as opposed to the jagged, sawing motions that some people mistakenly believe is "dynamic driving".
Even in the hurly-burly of fast-road driving, the occupants are properly supported by the snug seats, even those in the back, so you're not sliding around in the car.
You would think that the sloping roofline creates some claustrophobia in the back, but this particular car has the panoramic sunroof option ticked, which lets plenty of light in for an airy ambience. (Pictured above: With the rear seats folded flat, luggage capacity swells from 434- to 1344-litres)
The cabin features the same analogue/digital interface we find more appealing than a fully digital one. It isn't militantly minimalist like on the current crop of popular EVs with everything controlled through the touchscreen display, so there is satisfyingly physical switchgear to operate the essential features.
Although the interior is tautly no-nonsense, it is far from no-frills, because all the key elements, such as occupant comfort and driver ergonomics, are present and accounted for. It is a familiar place to Porschephiles, with all the car's switchgear within intuitive reach.
Visually, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe doesn't stand out as being too "pick-me", least of all in this body-colour, and we like the suave sophistication of its subtly sporty looks. In a climate hung-up on cheap and cheerful BEVs, it's nice to see credible PHEVs making compelling in-roads in bringing some balance back to the automotive world.
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe
Engine 2995cc, V6, turbocharged
Power at rpm 353hp at 5000-6000rpm
Torque at rpm 500Nm at 1450-4500rpm
Battery, 25.9kWh, 400V
System Power 519hp
System Torque 750Nm
Transmission 8spd Tiptronic auto
0-100km/h 4.7secs
Top speed 262km/h
