Execs at Porsche hope to launch the new Cayenne by the first half of 2010, however, the second-gen Touareg isn't due to make an appearance until late 2010 at the earliest. Germany’s Automobilwoche reports that Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking is using his ever increasing control of VW Group to rush projects that would favor Porsche, even if it disadvantages VW. Audi, meanwhile, isn’t expected to replace its Q7 SUV with a new model until 2013.
Wiedeking made it clear to the VW board in January last year that he hopes to speed up development of the Cayenne because of fears of the worsening demand for thirsty SUVs and rising oil prices. The new model will be much more fuel-efficient and will feature a new hybrid model in its lineup.