(December 12, 2010) Porsche indicates that this may be the perfect time to treat yourself to a 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid Christmas gift.

Porsche’s first production hybrid, the 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid sport-utility vehicle, has been certified as being eligible for the Alternative Motor Vehicle Tax Credit as a Qualified Hybrid Motor Vehicle.

The thing is, customers need to purchase the hybrid before Dec. 31 to get a one-time $1,800 tax credit. Credits expire at the end of year.

Customers who purchase a new 2011 Cayenne S Hybrid before Dec. 31 or who have already purchased one earlier this year may be eligible for a one-time tax credit up to $1,800.

The Cayenne S Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds on its way to a top test track speed of 150 mph, yet it delivers an impressive EPA-certified 20 mpg city/24 highway. Its base price before the federal tax credit is $67,700 (excluding destination).

In the Cayenne and Panamera model lines the ‘S’ designation indicates a V8 under the hood. But the ‘S’ in the Cayenne S Hybrid name is there for a different reason — to identify the true performance character of this SUV’s highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid system.

With a combined power output of 380 horsepower from the supercharged V-6 combustion engine and an electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid delivers performance nearly equal to the Cayenne S with its 400-horsepower V8 and fuel economy estimates that exceed those of the Cayenne with the V-6 engine.