But
view it head-on and you will see that Cayenne's face resembles Porsche's primary
sports car, the 911 Carrera Coupe, only hiked up higher due to the 4WD suspension
and huge tires that run optionally up to 20 inches.
There's
the hood swooping down between corner flanks marked by uniquely shaped headlamp
clusters and underscored by a narrow linear grille, stacked air ports and square-corner
foglamps. Fenders
flare around the wheelwells like muscles bulging on an athlete's broad shoulders,
while the flat roofline gives way near the tail with a sharp descent to taillamps
to forge a silhouette that appears tilted forward in a suggestion of speed. Porsche
outfits Cayenne with new V8 engines that cap the sport-utility power chart. There
are two versions. The
Cayenne S base model draws from a naturally-aspirated 90-degree V8 that displaces
4.5 liters and develops up to 340 hp at 6000 rpm plus 310 lb-ft of torque peaking
between 2500-5500 rpm. The
ultimate model Cayenne Turbo uses this same plant fitted with twin turbo-chargers
to maximize the power punch. It achieves 450 hp at 6000 rpm and torque numbers
of 457 lb-ft between 2250-4750 rpm.
Both
engines tie to a new six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with manual shift
action controlled through toggle switches set on the steering wheel. Both
also channel all of the engine's energy through a permanent 4WD system, the PTM
device with inter-axle differential lock and low-range gearing for tackling serious
off-road terrain.
Tire
traction for Cayenne is further enhanced by the Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
system that automatically corrects lateral skidding. To
rein so much horsepower in Cayenne, big brakes are aboard, plus an alphabet soup
in computer controls.
Brakes
consist of six-piston aluminum monoblock calipers with 13.78-inch inner-vented
discs up front and four-piston monoblock calipers in back for 13-inch inner-vented
discs. Standard
controls include an anti-lock brake system (ABS), plus automatic brake differential
(ABD), anti-slip regulation (ASR) and the PSM device that coordinates with all
other controls plus the PTM 4WD system.
Wheel
and tire packages for both Cayenne S and Turbo range in size from 18 to 20 inches.The
standard kit brings 18-inch light-alloy wheels and 255/55R18 tires. Optional are
19-inch wheels with 275/45R19 tires or the ultimate set of 20-inch rollers capped
by 275/40R20 rubber.
How
quick can a sport-ute be? Porsche's
own tests reveal that the Cayenne Turbo scores as the fastest SUV on the planet.
It
can zip from a stoplight start to 62 mph (100 kph) in only 5.2 seconds and run
to a top speed of 165 mph. The
Cayenne S covers the zero-to-62 mph distance in 7.2 seconds and hits its limit
at 150 mph.
 Cabin
contents for both versions amount to first-class accommodations
with premium fixtures and multiple air bags including curtain-style
side air bags stretching above doors for front and back seats.
Optional
gear ranges from leather and walnut wood trim packages for Cayenne S to bi-xenon
headlamps and a CD changer for six discs.
Porsche
sets price points at $55,900 for Cayenne S and $88,900 for Cayenne Turbo. (...BACK)
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