2015 Porsche Cayenne | spy shots

Disguised to look just like the current model, the car in these latest images taken by Carsguide’s spy photographers suggests the 2015 Cayenne will appear sportier than before, but only if you’re really paying attention - the changes are subtle.

The front bumper will incorporate a larger central grille, while the smaller intakes at each corner feature sporty strakes, similar to those found on the smaller Macan SUV. The headlights are also expected to receive minor tweaks but retain their overall shape.

Porsche has also given the updated Cayenne a new chunkier rear bumper which houses redesigned exhaust tips. While disguised, the taillights are also tipped to change slightly, adopting a sleeker look.

Interior changes will likely be minimal with the new car possibly employing the Macan’s 918 Spyder-inspired steering wheel. Adaptive cruise control with automatic braking, traffic sign detection and lane departure warning systems will also be added to the range.

Because this is Porsche, the changes beneath the metal are far more substantial. The Cayenne S will trade its 4.8-litre naturally aspirated V8 for Porsche’s new 3.0-litre twin turbo V6. And as a result power and torque will swell from 294kW and 500Nm to 319kW and 520Nm respectively, representing a minor increase in outright performance. Fuel economy and emission figures are expected to improve significantly over the outgoing V8 model though.

But if it’s efficiency you’re after Porsche is also replacing the Cayenne Hybrid with the ‘E-Hybrid’ model. Combining a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor to give total power output of 306kW and 590Nm of torque, the E-Hybrid will probably be more environmentally friendly than most small hatchbacks. In the Panamera at least this clever drivetrain is able to use just 3.1l/100km while emitting 71g of CO2 per kilometre. We expect the new Cayenne E-Hybrid to be slightly thirstier than the petrol-electric Panamera due to its stout aerodynamic profile.

The updated Cayenne range is expected to debut before the middle of this year as a 2015 model year car, possibly at next month’s New York Auto Show or the Beijing event held in the same month.