To reduce its impact on the environment, our new petrol-electric hybrid system is designed to significantly lower fuel consumption. Rather than opting for standard hybrid technology, we have chosen the most efficient and technologically sophisticated concept for our vehicles, one that has never been implemented before: the parallel full hybrid.

By the end of the decade, we will offer a Cayenne featuring a V6 engine with this drive concept. The Cayenne Hybrid will achieve fuel economy of less than 9 litres per 100 kilometres, a reduction of more than 25 per cent. The Panamera – which debuts in 2009 – will also be offered with hybrid technology.

Unlike a typical full hybrid model, in a parallel full hybrid system the electric motor is integrated into the drivetrain. The hybrid module sits between the transmission and the combustion engine where it docks to a decoupler. This represents a clear space saving by minimising the limitations posed by all-wheel drive technology and the size of the luggage compartment.The Hybrid Manager is supplied with all the relevant information and it coordinates the combustion engine and electric motor to suit the current driving style. The 240-cell, 288 volt battery with a 38 kilowatt capacity is situated in the spare wheel recess. With the aid of a special cooling system, its temperature is maintained at below 40 degrees Celsius.