Autoline #1330: Oxymoron


Sep 11 2009 24 mins  
Oxymoron

Over the last century, Ferdinand Porsche built his brand on speed, power and performance. So it was almost anathema 7 years ago when, to compete in a market it never knew, Porsche introduced its first Sport Utility Vehicle the Cayenne. Despite the outcry from some critics the car was a hit with consumers. Which is probably why, a year away from the last gas scare with surely more to come, the company is introducing the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid to the North American market. Yes, you read that right -- a hybrid coming from the Germany's Crown Prince of performance -- almost a textbook definition of oxymoron.

Joining John McElroy to explain this small shift to the green side is Porsche's Cayenne Program Manager Dr. Michael Leiters. Motor Trend's Todd Lassa and Joe DeMatio from Automobile Magazine fill in our performance panel as we pursue the inside story on Porsche's new Cayenne Hybrid.