Porsche Drops Base-Level Cayenne SUV

Porsche AG is eliminating the $50,600 base Cayenne large SUV from its U.S. lineup because the brand's new midsize Macan SUV starts at a $300 higher base price, Automotive News reports.

The adjustment will take effect when the 2015 models debut in the American market on Nov. 1. The lineup will hike the price of the cheapest Cayenne a 240-hp diesel to $62,700. The costliest Cayenne will be the $114,600 Turbo, which comes with 520-hp turbocharged 4.8-liter V-8.

Porsche predicts no more than 10%-15% of would-be Cayenne customers will switch to the Macan, which went on sale in the U.S. in May. Porsche says its 2015 SUV models will be priced 3%-11% higher than this year's vehicles.

The Cayenne S will drop the naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V-8 in 2015 and switch to a twin-turbocharged V-6. At 420 hp, the new engine makes 20 more horsepower than the outgoing powerplant.

Updates for the 2015 model year include a reconfigured plug-in hybrid Cayenne. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid's new 416-hp powertrain includes a 333-hp supercharged V-6 engine, more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery.