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Porsche Cajun spied

Latest sighting confirms Porsche's small SUV is on track for a 2012 launch, as rumours of hybrid edition emerge

Porsche Cajun front three-quarters

By Dan Strong

21st September 2011

Here are the pictures that prove the new Porsche Cajun remains on target for a 2012 launch.

Auto Express can also confirm that a new hybrid-powered edition is under development, which will become the Stuttgart firm’s cleanest, most efficient model when it goes on sale in 2013.

Looking more like a heavily modified Q5, this prototype “mule” was snapped by our spy photographers as it left Porsche’s engineering department at the Nurburgring in Germany.

With a widened track, roll cage and blistered wheel arches, the newcomer certainly looks like it means business.

Although exact details are still scarce, the newcomer is tipped to cost from £35,000 when it goes on sale.

Both three and five-door versions are expected, based on a bespoke chassis developed out of the one that underpins the Audi Q5.

Aiming to deliver a class leading on-road driving experience, the Cajun will have some ability off road.

However one source told us that engineers are currently spending more time lapping test tracks than dirt tracks, meaning the focus is very much on making the model live up to the firm’s legendary reputation for building great drivers' cars.

Under the bonnet, Porsche is set to borrow heavily from Audi’s engine range. According to the latest speculation, it will be available with a 235bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, plus a 180bhp 2.0-litre diesel.

Flagship Cajun S models will get a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 with at least 300bhp, while Porsche is reported to be considering an upmarket diesel edition too, with a 3.0-litre V6 offering 265bhp.

A hybrid model powered by a 178bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and 44bhp electric engine is also under development.

The electric motor is powered by a high performance lithium-ion battery, and it’s thought the car will offer some sort of plug in function, allowing limited electric only running.

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16 Comments

Cajun... Chicken... Audi???

By bobobobbb on 22 September, 2011, 8:22pm

Uh... that's an Audi. Oh well, doesn't matter since the Porsche would probably look about the same.

By setharp4 on 22 September, 2011, 9:31pm

Well i'm confused - how can it be a porsche if its being tested sporting an audi badge!?

By bhalay207 on 22 September, 2011, 9:51pm

Catch up!

do you not know that VW own both Audi and Porsche!

it's just a test mule, so they can make sure all the grubby bits work and people like spy photographers are more likely to report it as a "New Q5" rather than a "New porsche".

means that they give away as little as possible of what the real car will look like. untill they want to.

By carlw437 on 22 September, 2011, 11:15pm

That's all it is

It's going to be a rebadged Q5 with a updated beetle body, even harder suspension and stupidly large wheels and road tyres at an inflated price. And it will be about as useful in the mud as a pair of high heels. Of course, it will sell in the bucketloads to whose who aspire to own a Kahn or Mansory Cayenne.

By gherkins123 on 23 September, 2011, 8:11am

food for thought

A Porsche supermarket trolley, how truly exciting. Looking forward to their pickup truck, probably call it a Porsche coconut, chicken, curry, cream cheese ...

By fleabane on 23 September, 2011, 10:15am

Following the 'spices-beginning-with-C' theme,

We must be due the Porsche Cumin, the Porsche Coriander and the Porsche Cinnamon

By snappyuk on 23 September, 2011, 1:33pm

just a bloated over priced super mini

with some ability off road then whats the point of it?? Any change out of 50K for it?

By liverpool on 23 September, 2011, 6:18pm

well we have the cayenne which might come from cayenne pepper so another food for thought could be Porsche Paprika, Porsche Fennel, Porsche Lassi, or a 4x4 for hunting called bambi for hunters in India or Rural England... there are endless choices and new markets. How long will it take for buyers to realize these cars are just copies of a cheaper model and they are fooled into buying the badge.

By corsamani on 24 September, 2011, 12:14pm

MONEY MAKING SCAM.

It's an Audi in a Porsche's clothing so that stupid badge snobs can pay a premium!

By Abdurrahman1 on 24 September, 2011, 7:47pm

Same old marketing tosh....

Usual dreary old Audi trick of regurgitating the same old vehicles with a different badge. Looking forward to the Skoda and Seat versions coming real soon.

And carlw437 that trick appears to have worked well, seems nearly everyone has fallen for the new Q5 trick, not.

By The_Reaper on 26 September, 2011, 1:25pm

And my 2002 Mini is actually a 2012 Lamborghini Aventador that is undergoing shakedown testing.

By minicoopers69 on 26 September, 2011, 1:56pm

this is awful.

like the cayenne. gonna be awful. whatever. as long it makes money for porsche to make awesome 911's.

By julianlee on 29 September, 2011, 7:09am

Audi/VW look alike?

I would buy this if it doesn't look like its sisters and not like its bigger brother. Come on Porsche, you make the best driving machines, bring out a worthwhile design for once.

By PAAdam on 1 November, 2011, 6:02am

Oh well pursche owdi vulksvugen whatever you know they will allways be ugly

By blinkster on 15 April, 2012, 5:20am

@the_reaper.........youre a bit screwed up about whom is doing what......."usual dreary old Audi trick" simply smacks of your dislike of Audis. Do you imagine the arrogance at Porsche would allow Audi to regurgitate some old model and bang a Porsche badge on it?? Jeez, give Porsche a tiny bit of credit, and I hate them. Porsche got slammed back into their place after getting sprung doing a death-stalk of VAG. What I'd love to see is the Mission Statement from any brand under the VAG umbrella, to shed some light on the grubby pursuit of excessive profits at any cost. Stealing the cake from your sister companies screams of a total lack of imagination. The joke stopped with the Aye-canne.....wasnt a sports car, NEVER drove like one, and NO off-road abilities, yet according to this very magazine the Aye-canne saved Porsche from extinction. Should have let it die, or be flogged off to the Chinese!!

By barina47 on 27 April, 2012, 3:56am

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Pictures

Porsche Cajun front three-quarters
Porsche Cajun rendering
Porsche Cajun rear
Porsche Cajun rear cornering
Porsche Cajun front three-quarters
Porsche Cajun front
Porsche Cajun panning

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