Now that we’ve all seen the next-generation Porche 911 in its true form, the next big project for Porsche engineers is the upcoming baby SUV, the Q5 based Porsche Cajun.

If you’re thinking, but this is just a Q5, you’d be wrong because it’s actually a Cajun mule testing on the Nürburgring. Of course it doesn’t show any of the real details of the Cajun’s styling but we can see that the track will be wider due to the black fender flares. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo wheels also give the game away, but the fact that it was driving into the Porsche test facility is proof enough for us to believe that this really is the Cajun mule.

The Cajun will share its platform with the Q5, but Porsche will fine-tune the chassis, as well as upgrade the brakes. The engine and transmission is expected to be sourced directly from Audi, both petrol and diesel units. No doubt Porsche will give the powerplants some ‘Stuttgart treatment’ to breath more life into the Cajun.

With all manufacturers working hard to bring their average CO2 emission down to 130 g/km by 2015, the Porsche Cajun will more than likely be offered with the hybrid-drivetrain known from the Q5, meaning a 2.0-litre TFSI delivering around 156 kW combined with a 33 kW electric motor.

If the Cajun repeats the success of the Cayenne, Porsche will be well underway to achieve its ambitious sales targets. We suspect the Cajun will also eventually be offered as a two door version too.

Adapted from CarAdvice

Although it was already speculated, Porsche is indeed working on developing a small SUV to go up against the likes of BMW’s X3 and the Audi Q5. It has also been officially announced it will be called the Porsche Cajun.

Porsche hopes the new SUV will further increase sales volumes, with a lower entry price potentially attracting younger buyers. Design goals for the vehicle include “light weight, ease of handling and agility,” according to the official release. The Cajun is expected to share a platform with the Audi Q5, though it will be styled with an eye toward sportier themes and priced roughly five to ten percent higher than the Audi.

Reports say the new model will hit the market by 2014 and come with a range of engines.