Just as evo was going to print, Porsche sprang a surprise and unveiled the 918 Sypder at the Geneva motor show. Combining 218bhp of lithium-ion power to the front wheels with a 500bhp V8 from the RS Spyder racer in the rear, this Carrera GT successor is capable of beating Porsche’s last hypercar around the old Ring, yet puts out less CO2 emissions than a Toyota Prius and consumes just 3 litres of fuel per 100km. Performance claims are equally surprising: 0-100kph takes just 3.2sec and top speed stands at 320kph. It’s monocoque body shell is built from carbon fibre, so overall weight stands at 1490kg.

The other big news is that a hybrid Cayenne will be sold in the Middle East. Called the Hybrid S, it uses a 329bhp Audi S4 V6. Porsche claims a combined 8.2L/100km thanks to the additional 46bhp electric motor and interestingly, identical performance to the new V8 petrol ‘S’. At speeds up to 60kph, it’s possible to drive on electric power alone and there’s what Porsche calls ‘sailing mode’, where the petrol engine switches itself off up to 156kph.

For those that are less worried about their green credentials, the rest of the new Cayenne range is now quicker and more efficient, mainly thanks to the attention paid to weight saving. Aluminium is used extensively in the bonnet, doors, tailgate and axles, with a new wiring loom. The the 4wd system alone loses 63kg. The Cayenne S loses an impressive 180kg, weighing in at just over two tons. It would be lighter still, if it didn’t add 70kg-worth of additional standard equipment. Gains in efficiency have been made through better thermal management, stop-start technology and a new eight-speed torque converter.

Apart from the Cayenne S gaining an extra 15 horsepower, the rest of the engine range remains the same, although the 0-100kph times have fallen by a few tenths, with the Turbo topping the lot at 493bhp.

Making sure the Cayenne still handles, the 911 Turbo’s optional Porsche Torque Vectoring system is now offered. Then there’s revised suspension and electro-hydraulic steering to add to the changes. Off road, Porsche says the new Cayenne won’t disappoint, despite the removal of the low range box – a part of the weight saving program. Engineers did their usual M.E. tests in Dubai, so there should be little to worry about for GCC customers. Prices will start at around $ 65,000 for the V6 and will move up to $ 130,000 for the Turbo, with the Hybrid S starting at $ 84,000.