Porsche has confirmed that the Cajun crossover will go into production late in 2013 as a 2014 model, in a €500 million (R4 billion), 17-hectare extension to its Leipzig plant, where the Cayenne and Panamera are currently assembled.
Porsche has said the entry-level Cajun crossover, to be based on the Audi Q5 platform, will be “light and handy”, and will compete with the BMW X3, Range Rover Evoque and Mercedes-Benz GLK.
What it hasn't confirmed are the engine options; industry insiders are expecting a 164kW, two-litre TFSI and a supercharged, three-litre V6 tuned for either 224 or 261kW.
Diesel offerings are likely to be similar: a 149kW, two-litre TDI and a three-litre V6 TDI in 186 and 231kW format.
And, of course, there will be a hybrid; the smart money is on a 155kW, two-litre TFSI paired with a 33kW electric motor.
The new Leipzig plant (construction started there on Tuesday) will include a body assembly line and a paint shop, making it a fully-fledged factory rather than an assembly plant, and will create about 1000 new jobs.